Catron Concedes Experience in GP Sprint

Catron has demonstrated abundant talent in his two lifetime starts for 10-time defending Gulfstream Park training champion Todd Pletcher, but the 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor will concede considerable experience to his 10 rivals in Saturday’s $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3).           

“It’s always a concern. I was happy to see we got a good post where we may be able to keep his face clean a little bit,” said Pletcher of Catron’s No. 9 post. “I think from a talent standpoint he fits very well. My only concern is that this is his third lifetime start and he’s going up against some real seasoned veterans.”           

Catron is set to compete against the likes of Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Laugh Track, Mr. Prospector (G3) victor Singanothersong, and multiple Grade 1 stakes-winner Jackson Bend, while making his stakes debut in his third start.           

Catron broke his maiden at Belmont in his debut last June, pulling away to a three-length victory. The Marie and Aaron Jones homebred came back at Gulfstream six months later to win a six-furlong optional claiming allowance by 4 ½ lengths in hand.           

Last season, Pletcher saddled Graydar for his fourth lifetime start and stakes debut in the Donn Handicap (G1) and visited the Gulfstream winner’s circle with the  strapping son of Unbridled’s Song.           

“It’s hard to do that,” Pletcher said. “We don’t generally try, unless we think the horse is pretty talented, and that’s the way we feel.”           

Catron, who’ll be ridden by Javier Castellano, is rated second in the morning line at 3-1 behind 5-2 favorite Laugh Track.