The Legacy Racing Forum

Catholic Boy finished fourth in his first start since a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Suburban on the main track July 6 at Belmont. He was returning to turf for the first time since capturing the Grade 2 Dixie on May 18 at Pimlico. But trainer Jonathan Thomas said Catholic Boy, the winner of the 2018 Grade 1 Runhappy Travers, could return to dirt with a potential start in the Grade 1, $6 million Breeders' Cup Classic at 1 ¼ miles on November 2 at Santa Anita Park.

“Overall, he was a little bit even around there. I was hoping, turning for home, he would kick on a little,” Thomas said. “It looked like he stayed on and went ahead and galloped out well. He came back with a lot of energy, so we'll get back to the barn and look at him. He may have needed a tightener going a mile and an eighth. We'll see if he takes a step forward. I'm not disappointed but I'm not thrilled, either.

“This could be one of those instances where we get back in his training and he's really taken a big step forward,” he added. “He was very even and he looked like a horse that getting a mile and a quarter wouldn't be an issue. He galloped out well. He was just a little one-paced. Watching that it would scream [he needs] a little more real estate. The [Breeders' Cup] Mile would be a little bit quick for him. [The Classic] would be the most likely scenario, but we'll have to talk to everybody.”

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/lucullan-takes-knickerbocker-at-belmont-catholic-boy-fourth-in-return/

Msg 81 of 305 to gerchgogerchgo

In reply toRe: msg 80

From: cigarello

10/15/19

thanks for the information. Would love to see him in the Breeders Cup if he is fit to be there: his connections seem to make good decisions for him, so we shall see!!!