Inaugural running of Catlaunch lures 11

Catlaunch, a multiple Ohio champion for Scioto Farms, will be honored with the inaugural running of a stakes named for him Sunday at ThistleDown. A field of 11 older Ohio-accredited horses will contest the 1 1/16-mile $50,000 Catlaunch, named for the 13-year-old horse who earned more than $1 million while racing almost exclusively in Ohio.

KEY CONTENDERS

Baystone (Last 3 Beyers: 74-67-61)

◗ Has been running the past two years almost exclusively at Presque Isle Downs.

◗ He missed by a nose in his last out Sept. 15 in a claiming race going a mile and 70 yards.

◗ He has hit the board in 9 of his 14 races on dirt.

◗ The jockey-trainer combination of Anthony Stephen and John Bourke has won at a 38 percent clip the past two years for a return on investment of $6.57.

Jac’s Fact (Last 3 Beyers: 57-62-57)

◗ He will be looking for his fourth consecutive win.

◗ His last victory was in the $50,000 Horizon going 1 1/16 miles against statebred 3-year-olds at Belterra Park. He won that race by nearly 10 lengths.

◗ He is one of three 3-year-olds in the race; the other two are fillies. He is also one of three trained by Ivan Vazquez, although they will race as separate betting interests.

Key Low (Last 3 Beyers: 62-58-50)

◗ Won last in a hand ride Sept. 5 locally going six furlongs.

◗ This is his second race off a layoff, and trainer Shane Meyers wins at 36 percent in that category and 26 percent when his horses go from a sprint to route.