Catlaunch named Ohio horse of the year

Catlaunch was named Ohio s 2008 horse of the year at the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Awards Banquet at Darby Dan Farm in Galloway, Ohio, on Saturday. Catlaunch, now 8, was also honored as Ohio s champion handicap horse and Ohio-accredited male champion.

Catlaunch won seven of nine starts in 2008, including the 1 1/4-mile Endurance on Best of Ohio Day at Thistledown, and earned $184,000. Catlaunch is owned and was bred by Scioto Farm and is trained by Ivan Vazquez. In his career, Catlaunch has won 27 of 64 starts and earned $614,896.

The other Ohio champions were Raise the Reward, 2-year-old colt; Slide s Choice, 2-year-old filly; Type A Personality, 3-year-old colt; Eye Can t Look Back, 3-year-old filly; Pay the Man, female handicap horse; Money Card, Ohio-accredited female horse; Pforperfectspistol, sprint champion; Tom Archdeacon, special recognition colt; Mercer Mill, leading stallion; and Skilaunch, leading broodmare. Tim Hamm was voted owner of the year.