Fast Anna goes for Catalano

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Fast Anna returns to Saratoga on Sunday for the first time since being beaten a neck by The Big Beast in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop last year. Fast Anna will make his first start for trainer Wayne Catalano in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat Stakes at six furlongs.

Fast Anna had previously been trained by Kathy Ritvo. In two starts this year, Fast Anna won the Sawgrass Handicap on turf and finished third as the 1-2 favorite in the Hockessin Stakes on dirt at Delaware Park.

“Just trying to get him back on a winning track,” Catalano said Thursday by phone from Monmouth.

Catalano said the plan is to run in the Tale of the Cat, the Phoenix at Keeneland on Oct. 3, and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, also at Keeneland, on Oct. 31.

Fast Anna is a very quick horse who opened up a five-length lead after a quarter-mile in 21.60 seconds in the Hockessin Stakes under Michael Ritvo. Catalano said he hopes to harness some of Fast Anna’s early speed and has named Channing Hill to ride. Hill has worked Fast Anna twice in Kentucky for Catalano.

“He relaxed for him when he worked him,” Catalano said.

However, Hill may have to use Fast Anna’s speed after drawing the rail for Sunday’s race. Also entered, in post-position order, were Catron, A.P. Indian, Weekend Hideaway, Saturday’s Charm, Scarly Charly, Stallwalkin’ Dude, and Loki’s Vengeance.

◗ Wicked Strong, fourth, beaten six lengths, in the Grade 1 Whitney, worked three furlongs in 37.16 seconds over the Oklahoma training track Thursday in preparation for the Grade 1 Woodward on Sept. 5.

◗ Discreet Marq, nominated to both the Yaddo Stakes on Friday and the Ballston Spa on Aug. 29, worked an easy five furlongs in 1:04.22 over the Oklahoma turf course Thursday. She went her first quarter in 27.11 seconds and her last three furlongs in 37.11 seconds.