Catch a Flight can earn stakes shot
ARCADIA, Calif. – Catch a Flight is similar to other South American imports trained by Richard Mandella. There are always high expectations that they will develop into major stakes winners in this country.
In the 1990s, Mandella carved out a niche with South Americans such as Gentleman, Sandpit, and Siphon, all Grade 1 winners in this country.
Catch a Flight, third in a Group 1 race in Brazil last June, might run in stakes later this year and will have his second start in the United States in a first-level optional $40,000 claimer at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Santa Anita on Friday. Catch a Flight, an Argentine-bred who races for Haras Santa Maria de Araras, was third in his U.S. debut at a mile at Santa Anita on Jan. 19.
On Wednesday, Mandella stopped short of saying that Catch a Flight could run in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap on March 7 if he performs well Friday. Catch a Flight is part of a field of eight and is the only runner in the field who has placed in a Grade 1 or Group 1.
Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Catch a Flight (Last Beyer: 94)
Catch a Flight, a 5-year-old by Giant’s Causeway, was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Snuggley Bear on Jan. 19. He was as far back as seventh of nine on the backstretch and closed well to be closest to the front at the finish.
“Things didn’t go just right,” Mandella said. “He came running at the end. I expect him to do better this time.”
Last June, Catch a Flight was third in a Group 1 race at 1 1/2 miles on turf. He won five consecutive allowance races from November 2013 to March 2014 at distances ranging from seven furlongs to 1 3/16 miles, all on dirt.
“He’s always trained well,” Mandella said. “Now, it’s a matter of seeing how good he is.”
Rprettyboyfloyd (Last 3 Beyers: 94-76-88)
Rprettyboyfloyd was sixth behind California Chrome in the Santa Anita Derby last April as a maiden. He beat maidens last May but is winless in three subsequent starts.
Trained by Denise Breuer, Rprettyboyfloyd was gelded after finishing fourth behind Snuggley Bear on Jan. 19. This will be Rprettyboyfloyd’s first start as a gelding.
Well Measured (Last 3 Beyers: 87-89-87)
Well Measured was second in an allowance race at a mile on turf Jan. 19, his first start on the surface. He closed well in that race, suggesting that the longer trip will be in his favor.