Catholic Boy should appreciate more ground in Belmont Derby

ELMONT, N.Y. – Even before he was given a chance to jump onto the Kentucky Derby trail, Catholic Boy gave his connections a vibe that he’d be most effective going long on the turf.

At 2, Catholic Boy won going 1 1/16 miles on turf. Last month, when returned to the grass after his Kentucky Derby dreams faded with a fourth in the Florida Derby, he won the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge going 1 1/8 miles.

Saturday, Catholic Boy will try 1 1/4 miles for the first time when he heads a nine-horse field entered in the Grade 1, $1.2 million Belmont Derby.

“Early on, as a 2-year-old, we thought he was a horse that would relish a little bit more real estate,” said Jonathan Thomas, the trainer of Catholic Boy. “The best part of his breezes have always been his gallop-outs – he kind of keeps going and gets stronger in his gallop-outs. From a training perspective, and from what we’ve seen racing – specifically on the turf – has indicated to us he would get a route of ground.”

The Belmont Derby tops an 11-race Stars & Stripes card that includes the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Oaks and three other graded stakes. The derby and Grade 2 Suburban will be shown live on Fox Sports 2 and other regional cable outlets in a one-hour telecast beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern. The Oaks, Dwyer, and Belmont Sprint Championship will be shown live on NBC in a 90-minute telecast beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.

Catholic Boy did a couple of things in the Pennine Ridge that further stamped him a quality horse. First, he utilized a different style, going to the front after having come from off the pace in his previous six starts. Second, he re-rallied to beat heavily favored Analyze It after being passed by that one in midstretch.

“With the [rail] post and with it looking like there was lone speed with Analyze It, I felt we needed to take the race by the scruff of the neck to be effective,” Thomas said. “I don’t think we need the lead by any stretch of the imagination.”

Thomas said that Catholic Boy came out of the race well enough where he wound up working him three times instead of twice.

“He was looking to do a little bit more,” Thomas said.

Catholic Boy shares ownership with Hawkish, who is coming off a three-length victory in the Grade 2 Penn Mile. Though Hawkish is 3 for 3 at a mile, trainer Jimmy Toner is confident he can run farther.

“I have all the confidence in the world, but we don’t know till we try it,” Toner said. “His mind is good enough where you can sit there with him and ask him to go, and he’ll go.”

Analyze It suffered his first defeat in the Pennine Ridge after winning his first three starts by a combined 15 3/4 lengths. Trainer Chad Brown had no excuse for Analyze It’s loss in the Pennine Ridge, but believes the horse will move forward off the race and that he can get the distance.

My Boy Jack, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, returns to the turf for the first time since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf where he was beaten three lengths while finishing seventh. Hunting Horn, trained by Aidan O’Brien won a Group 3 at Royal Ascot. Channel Cat, Encumbered, Maraud, and Kingstar complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Catholic Boy, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 96-80-92

◗ He is 3 for 4 on turf, with the lone loss coming when fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf with traffic. He galloped out past the field.

◗ Came off a nine-week layoff to win the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge after getting passed in the stretch.

Analyze It, by Point of Entry
Last 3 Beyers: 96-98-93

◗ Finished well clear of the rest of the field finishing second in the Penine Ridge.

◗ Has worked well since and owns a maiden win over this course.

My Boy Jack, by Creative Cause
Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-94

◗ Freshened up after a better-than-it-looks fifth in the Kentucky Derby, where he got stopped and was shuffled back to last.

“He has the same turn of foot on the dirt that he has on the grass, and that’s rare,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said. “Maybe his turn of foot is even quicker on the turf. Stamina, he’s proven that with the run in the Derby and with his pedigree more than anything. The distance he’ll only love.”

Hunting Horn, by Camelot
No Beyers

◗ Was talented enough to beat Latrobe in a maiden race in April. Latrobe won the Group 1 Irish Derby last weekend.

◗ Has won before on a left-handed course and is 2 for 3 at 1 1/4 miles.

◗ Gets Lasix for first time.