Relish the Ride repeats in Catlaunch

Relish the Ride successfully defended his victory in the $75,000 Catlaunch Stakes on Thursday at Thistledown, scoring a 3 1/2-length victory in this year’s edition of the fixture for Ohio-bred 3-year-olds and up.

Relish the Ride ($10.80), trained by Jeff Radosevich, had not won since taking the 2022 Catlaunch, resulting in being lukewarm on the board. He and jockey Jose Bracho were sixth approaching the head of the stretch as Excitement, the lone 3-year-old in the field, was fairly relaxed while setting an honest pace of 24 second flat for the opening quarter, and 46.46 for the half, with First Song tracking.

Bracho angled his mount out three wide for the drive, and Relish the Ride responded strongly, easily sweeping to a two-length lead at the top of the stretch. He continued on to extend his margin to the wire.

The final time for the 1 1/16 miles was 1:46.84 on a track rated muddy.

Excitement held second by three-quarters of a length over First Song. It was more than six lengths back to the rest of the field, with the order of finish rounded out by Manga Man, favored Authentic Cowtown - who never threatened despite being well-placed throughout - Dr. Zarnett, Romantic Cowboy, Firsthand Justice, Venture On, and Danes Heart.

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