Ocean Breeze should blow by 'em in the stretch

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Ocean Breeze will be returning to a distance range that might suit her best Friday, when she starts as the probable favorite in the featured eighth race at Oaklawn Park.

The first-level allowance for fillies and mares will be run over six furlongs. It drew seven, including Undine, a maiden winner last fall at Belmont Park; Misty Blue, a four-time winner; and Crown Jewel, a half-sister to multiple Grade 3 winner Multiple Choice.

Ocean Breeze is shortening up from a mile race at Churchill Downs. She was edged by a nose after setting the pace in the first-level allowance on Nov. 14.

“Her best numbers have come sprinting,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. “Her numbers show that’s what she might want.”

Ocean Breeze earned her best career Beyer Speed Figure, an 88, at six furlongs. The effort came in October, when she finished second by a half-length in an entry-level allowance at Keeneland. For her maiden win, Ocean Breeze earned a strong Beyer of 80. The score came over 6 1/2 furlongs last May at Churchill Downs.

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Ocean Breeze on Friday will start from post 5, between speed horses Misty Blue, Blinkers, and Undine.

“She’ll probably do whatever she needs to do,” Catalano said of Ocean Breeze. “She doesn’t need to be in front.

“She’s doing great. She’s going into the race very well.”

Gary and Mary West own Ocean Breeze, a 4-year-old daughter of Curlin who will be ridden by Florent Geroux.

A win Friday could put Catalano at 2,900 career training victories. (He also has starters this week at Fair Grounds.) Before winning his first race as a trainer in 1983 at Arlington Park, Catalano was a jockey and won 1,792 races. Catalano through Tuesday had won 2,899 races as a trainer, according to statistics from Daily Racing Form.

“We’ll keep plucking ’em off until we get to 3,000,” he said of the march to the training milestone.

Catalano is a 64-year-old native of New Orleans who got his start in racing walking hots for Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. Catalano’s top trainees have included champion Dreaming of Anna, Stephanie’s Kitten, She Be Wild, Room Service, Farrell, and Crypto Star.

As for Ocean Breeze, she could get an ideal trip just off the speed Friday. Misty Blue wired her rivals last out in a $50,000 claiming sprint at Churchill Downs. Blinkers also led throughout in her last start, a win in a $30,000 conditioned claiming sprint at Ellis Park. Undine won her maiden on the front end at Belmont Park in October.

Misty Blue will start from post 3 under Joe Talamo. Blinkers – who does wear the equipment – breaks from post 4 under David Cabrera. Udine is in gate 7 and will be ridden by Martin Garcia.