Lone Star: Pyc Kant Katch Me gets another shot at big money in Texas Classic Futurity

Pyc Kant Katch Me was the fastest qualifier for a $1 million race back in May, but was a late scratch in the finale because of an unfortunate mishap in the gate. Saturday night, he will get a second shot at seven figures in the Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity for Quarter Horses at Lone Star Park.

“He deserves a big one,” said Judd Kearl, who trains the undefeated Pyc Kant Katch Me for JNB Enterprises.

The Texas Classic Futurity will be run over 400 yards, and is the richest race in Texas. It will share a card with the Grade 1, $377,219 Texas Classic Derby, which drew Ochoa, the all-time richest Quarter Horse. The races close out the meet.

Pyc Kant Katch Me, who is 5 for 5, established himself as a top 2-year-old this spring, when after two days of trials he emerged as the fastest qualifier for Oklahoma’s richest race, the Grade 1, $1.1 million Heritage Place Futurity. He went to post in the finale as a strong favorite, but was scratched after he sat down in the gate.

“The horse next to him flipped,” Kearl said. “He false-broke, and tipped over in the gate.”

Pyc Kant Katch Me returned to action in August at Ruidoso Downs during trials for the Grade 1, $2.4 million All American Futurity. He won his race by 1 1/2 lengths, but failed to qualify and did not race back until the Oct. 20 trials for the Texas Classic.

“He hit the slow part of the day at Ruidoso,” said Kearl.

“We had to give him a little time off after that. He had an eye issue, an ulceration, and spent two weeks in the Elgin Vet Clinic.”

Pyc Kant Katch Me returned to win his Texas Classic trial by a length. He will be seeking to make it six in a row when he breaks from post 2 under jockey Rodrigo Vallejo.

“He’s a big colt, and he’s got a big old heart,” said Kearl. “He’s just amazing; he can get out of there. He gets away good and can run down the racetrack. He’s just an owner and trainer’s dream.”

The chief threat could be fastest-qualifier Ronnie James.

◗ Ochoa is the top-ranked older horse in North America, according to a poll put out by the American Quarter Horse Association. He will be seeking his sixth straight win Saturday night as part of a season that includes victories in the All American and Rainbow derbies.

◗ Martha Claussen of AQHA will lead a free handicapping seminar Saturday that starts at 6 p.m.