Catholic Boy possible for Pennine Ridge

ELMONT, N.Y. – Catholic Boy, who bled while fourth in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 31, could make his return to the races in the Grade 3, $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes on turf at Belmont Park on June 2, according to John Panagot, racing manager for part-owner Robert LaPenta.

Catholic Boy made his first three starts on turf, winning two, including the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga. He finished a troubled fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Catholic Boy showed his versatility by winning the Grade 2 Remsen on dirt to end his 2-year-old year and then ran second in the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs in his 3-year-old debut.

He bled badly while fourth to Audible in the Florida Derby and was freshened up at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala, Fla. He has breezed twice at Bridlewood, including a five-furlong move on the dirt last weekend, according to Panagot.

“He has put on a ton of weight,” Panagot said Monday at Belmont Park. “He enjoyed his time off. Right now, the plan is to keep an eye on this race.”

Panagot said that running in the Pennine Ridge or any turf race for his next start doesn’t preclude Catholic Boy from returning to the dirt later this year.