Trainer Wayne Catalano is on the verge of wrapping up an
unheralded 11th leading trainer title in what has already been a record year at
Arlington for the three-time Breeders’ Cup-winning
conditioner.
This season has already witnessed Catalano break the meet earnings
record — becoming the first Arlington-based trainer to earn more than $2
million in purses — while also seeing him currently a mere six wins short of
tying his own win record of 75 (2010), with four race days remaining.
“This has been a very good year. I think the difference was
we had some horses win a few more stakes than we normally do,” Catalano said.
“This year a lot of things have worked out very well for us.”
The veteran
conditioner has captured six stakes victories, greatly outscoring his rival
trainers, including wins in three prestigious Grade 3 events — the Arlington
Matron, Arlington-Washington Futurity and Pucker Up Stakes.
As far as setting records, Catalano is quick to point out
that while he enjoys achieving them, it is winning races for his clients and
having a good team that remains the priority.
“We don’t really worry about the
records until we get really close,” he explained. “Sometimes you can’t control how things
happen. The other day I thought I would win with a few that I had in there, but
I wound up not winning with any.”
Thus far in 2013, the conditioner is sporting a 29 percent strike
rate (69 wins), with 53 percent in the top-three at Arlington. Those numbers are up from 24
percent (63 wins) and 52 percent in 2012 and his best since 2010.
As
always, now that the Arlington meet is ending, Catalano’s focus is on the big races of the fall,
including winning another Breeders’ Cup. It is no surprise that this year, once
again, some of his best prospects are juveniles.
“We are looking at Keeneland preps for them,” Catalano said
of his best charges — including Futurity victor Solitary Ranger, Kentucky Downs
Juvenile Fillies winner Lien on Kitten and maiden turf scorer School on a Hill.
“We are going to look at the (Grade 1, $400,000 Breeders’ Futurity on
October 5) for Solitary Ranger
and see if the other two are good enough.”
Lien on Kitten, who caught the eyes
of many with a sharp maiden win at Arlington in August, has drawn comparisons to
multiple Grade 1-winning stablemate and Breeders’ Cup heroine Stephanie’s Kitten, who is
currently recovering from a minor injury.
“I don’t know if (Lien on Kitten) is that good, but I sure
hope so,” Catalano remarked. “She’s definitely very talented.”
As far as the big filly, she is currently on the comeback
trail.
“Stephanie is very special,” Catalano said. “She is still freshening up and we will talk
it over with Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Partridge (Ramsey’s manager) and decide what is
next for her.”
A rewarding addition to his barn has been William Stiritz’s
Hogy, who has won both of his starts against stakes company since being turned over
to Catalano this summer. In August he annexed the Troy, a turf
sprint at Saratoga, and then won the Presque Isle Mile around
two turns earlier this month at Presque Isle Downs.
“He’s been a nice pick up this summer. We are going to look
at the Breeders’ Cup (Turf Sprint). I think we’ll run him and see if he can get
one of the ‘Win and You’re In’ races,” Catalano stated. “He’s a very talented
and versatile horse.”
Horses like Hogy and owners like Stiritz have been a huge asset to Team
Catalano since he split with powerhouse owner Frank Calabrese a few years ago.
After rebuilding his stable, he now has and is greatly thankful for the
opportunity to train for such influential outfits as Gary and Mary West, Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.
Catalano’s diversified owner portfolio also includes
exciting and enthusiastic newcomers like Susan Moulton, whose very first horse
is the aforementioned Solitary Ranger, and Hit the Board
Stable, owner of Hatoof and Pucker Up winner I’m Already Sexy.
“We’ve had a few good years of excellent owners,” Catalano said noted.
“Having many of them actually works out a better. Owners like Mr. West are great
because they always try to put horses where they’ll fit and will be the most
successful. We’ll run his Cameo Appearance this weekend in the (Grade 3,
$400,000) Oklahoma Derby.
“Between my team, my clients and everyone involved, it
makes it a lot easier to be this successful. They are all great and we cannot do
it without them,” Catalano continued. “If you supply the good horses, it’s
simply a good opportunity for me and my staff to display what we can do.
Everything can come together when you do that, as long as you get a little luck
your way. I can’t say enough about my crew — we have an unbelievable group.”
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com