'Super horse' Catholic Boy has Suburban Handicap in sight
Javier Castellano had the mount on many gifted horses over Preakness Stakes weekend at Pimlico Race Course.
None impressed him more than Catholic Boy.
“He’s a super horse," Castellano said. "You can do whatever you want.”
“If we run on turf or we run on dirt with him, you know, the distance, it’s never been a problem,” the jockey continued Saturday as he left the winner's circle following a comeback win for the colt in the Dixie Stakes (G2). “He had some months off, but he didn’t miss a step. He’s got everything you want in a racehorse.”
The 4-year-old son of More Than Ready, away since finishing an uncharacteristic 13th in the Breeders' Cup Classic, returned to his winning ways when off as a 7-5 favorite in the 1 1/16-mile undercard feature on turf.
“This horse is incredible,” shouted co-owner Robert LaPenta from the winner’s circle. “He just always finds new ways to impress us. What an exciting day. This is an exciting horse.
“It’s not easy to do this, coming off of a six and a half month layoff, but he did it,” continued LaPenta, who is in partnership with Madaket Stables, Siena Far, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables.
Nerves turned to jubilation for his camp, which wasn't exactly expecting a victory in this spot. Trainer Jonathan Thomas termed the Dixie a "launch pad" to bigger things in 2019.
“I was thinking he might need a better trainer,” Thomas quipped after it looked like Catholic Boy might come up short in the stretch. “I would have been happy coming here and running a good second or third and galloping out well, but he has it in him to win. It was great to see."
Thomas said turf "is a little earlier on them coming back." A colt that won the Belmont Derby Invitational (G1) on grass, and the Travers Stakes (G1) on dirt in 2018, will likely return to the main track next.
Connections mentioned Belmont Park's July 6 Suburban (G2) at 1 1/4 miles.
“That seems like a viable option for this horse after this result,” LaPenta said, with Saratoga's Whitney (G1) on Aug. 3 if they remain on dirt.
“He likes the dirt. He likes the turf. He’s versatile,” Castellano said. “It’s rare to find a horse that can compete like this on both, but he can do it. He proved he can win on any surface. I’m blessed to be a part of this.”