Suspensory injury sends Catch a Flight into retirement

Catch a Flight, who developed into one of the top handicap horses in California last year, has been retired, trainer Richard Mandella said Friday.

The 6-year-old Argentina-bred Catch a Flight won three graded stakes in 2015: the Grade 2 San Diego at Del Mar and the Grade 2 California and Grade 3 Precisionist at Santa Anita. Catch a Flight finished second to stablemate Beholder in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic in his most recent start in August. He also placed in the Grade 1 Gold Cup and Santa Anita Handicap.

Catch a Flight was almost ready for his first start of 2016 when he injured a suspensory. His most recent work was six furlongs on May 3.

“We didn’t see it in the workout; we saw it a few days later,” Mandella said. “He was just about ready to run.”

Catch a Flight, sired by Giant’s Causeway, will stand at stud in Argentina. He won 10 of 18 starts and earned $773,239.