Catlaunch goes gate to wire

Revenge was sweet for the connections of Catlaunch in the $50,000 Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial at Beulah Park. Catlaunch, trained by Ivan Vazquez, set the pace throughout the 1 1/8-mile event to draw off and win by three lengths.

Breaking from post 4 in the field of nine, Catlaunch, under Hector Rosario Jr., was taken to the rail early and was pressured on the outside to the far turn by True Market, part of a Tim Hamm entry. Entering the final turn, both Acts Like a King and Smarmy, the two horses in the field that had beaten Catlaunch earlier this year, rallied to get within a length of Catlaunch. Acts Like a King drew alongside and dueled to upper stretch, but could not get by the winner and possible Ohio horse of the year.

Acts Like a King, trained by Kris Nemann and ridden by Ramon Luna, settled for second, 5 1/2 lengths in front of Smarmy, the other part of the Hamm entry.

Catlaunch returned $4 to win and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1.51.78 over a fast track. She has won six of her 10 starts this year, including three stakes.

The Ruff/Kirchberg was the last stakes of the year for Ohio registered or accredited horses.