Stevens has chance for redemption with Catch a Flight

DEL MAR, Calif. – When Catch a Flight finished third as the 8-5 favorite in the $501,500 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on June 27, the most frustrated person involved with the horse was jockey Gary Stevens.

Looking back, Stevens wished he had not urged Catch a Flight to the lead in early stretch and had waited longer before making a move.

“I went to the lead too early, and they went by me,” Stevens said. “I didn’t like my ride. I’d like a do-over.”

The chance for redemption arrives Saturday when Catch a Flight starts in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar. The Grade 2 San Diego is a prep for the $1 million Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 22, the track’s richest race.

Stevens argues that Catch a Flight will be better suited to the San Diego distance. He thinks the 5-year-old horse is capable of a win.

“I think shortening him up will help,” Stevens said. “I think a mile and a quarter is stretching it.”

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Catch a Flight is proven at the San Diego distance. Trained by Richard Mandella, Catch a Flight won consecutive stakes at Santa Anita in May, the Grade 3 Precisionist Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on May 2 and the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on May 30.

In the Gold Cup, Catch a Flight was fifth on the backstretch and made a move to the lead on the turn and into the stretch. He led by a head at the eighth pole and was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Hard Aces, who finished a nose in front of Hoppertunity.

Hoppertunity is expected to be favored in the San Diego Handicap. Other contenders are Bayern, who is winless in two starts since a win in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita last November, and Majestic City, who won the Grade 3 Lone Star Park Handicap in Texas on May 25 but was seventh after a poor start in the Gold Cup.