Catholic Boy could return in Sam F. Davis

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Catholic Boy, impressive winner of the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes here Dec. 2, returned to the track Thursday morning, jogging once around the track at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla.

His connections are still formulating when and where to bring him back to the races next year, but the leading option is the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis on Feb. 10 at Tampa Bay Downs.

John Panagot, racing manager for Robert LaPenta, said the Sam Davis makes sense from a timing perspective and it also is a relatively easy ship as it is less than two hours from Bridlewood.

“A race like the Sam Davis is appealing because it’s right down the road from Bridlewood,” Panagot said. “If we wanted to breeze him there beforehand we could.”

Catholic Boy is owned by LaPenta, who was part-owner of Tapwrit, this year’s Belmont Stakes winner who kicked off his 3-year-old season with a second-place finish in the Sam Davis.

Jonathan Thomas, trainer of Catholic Boy, said the horse did basically nothing for nine days after the Remsen. He will probably jog for 10 days, gallop for two weeks, and return to the work tab around Jan. 13, which would give him the chance to get four workouts in before the Sam Davis.

If Thomas feels Catholic Boy needs another week, the Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds could become an option.