Curlin's Catch wins Suncoast to join Kentucky Oaks trail

Curlin’s Catch came from off the pace to get on the Kentucky Oaks trail with a win in the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

Trained by Mark Casse with Antonio Gallardo in the irons, Curlin's Catch settled in fifth in the early going as Get Sneaky parlayed a sharp break to get the lead in a field that was reduced to seven 3-year-old fillies with scratches. the lead over the field of seven 3-year-old fillies through the early going.

Get Sneaky dueled for much of the race with Feeling Mischief and Il Malocchio, who was making her U.S. debut for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Fractions in the 1 mile and 40 yard race were 23.77, 47.10, 1:11.30 and 1:38.37.

Curlin’s Catch came running around the far turn, catching Get Sneaky from the outside and widening the gap down the final stretch to by 4 1/2 lengths. She completed the trip on a fast track in 1:40.89.

The race carried Oaks points delegations of 10-4-2-1 for the top four finishers. Behind Curlin’s Catch, Be Sneaky and Il Malocchio finished second and third, with Special Princess rounding out the superfecta.

Curlin’s Catch is by Curlin out of Catch the Thrill by A. P. Indy. She was exiting a front-running maiden win in start No. 3 at Gulfstream Park when trying dirt and two turns for the first time. Owned by Breezy Easy, she was purchased for $430,000 at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Spring sale.

Curlin’s Catch paid $5.60 as the 9-5 favorite.