Catalyst Finishes 6th at Oaklawn Park

Not what we hoped for in her race today at Oaklawn. 

Catalyst ran a very disappointing 6th today. We're waiting on the official report from the Steve Asmussen barn. This is a definite regression. Possibly she didn't like the slightly off track, but doesn't seem it should have affected her performance this dramatically. We'll report back when we hear more.

Our Follow-Up

Upon rewatching (and analyzing) her race again, on the second takes she didn't do as bad as we thought. She started well, ran with the leaders, and even made a really nice move into 2nd place coming up to the turn. She just got very tired in the stretch and got passed by several horses. It appeared to just be a fitness issue, and may be due in part to all the rain in Arkansas curtailing her workout program. We were disappointed she faded, but we have faith Steve Asmussen will address this. She's one of the best bred horses in our stable (Gun Runner x Tapit and half sibling to five stakes horses) and her upside is tremendous if she can get fit and figure things out down the road. 

We'll add the Post-Race Update once we receive it.

Catalyst Race Recap and Post Race Update

Catalyst checked in a disappointing sixth yesterday afternoon in Oaklawn Park’s sixth race. She got away from the gate well and settled in the second pack while on the inside as the field hit the backstretch. She gradually improved her position and found herself in a nice position in second heading into the far turn. Luis Fuentes was hard at work into the turn once the post-time favorite #3 Flashy Dancer came to her inside and our daughter of Gun Runner could not quicken from there on out.

Both Luis and trainer Steve Asmussen did not feel the off-track suited her well. We were hoping we would be seeing another improvement yesterday as we did in start #2 but that did not happen. We’ll get together with trainer Steve Asmussen and put together a plan moving forward.

So far, the barn reported Catalyst appeared to be in good physical order and scoped clean after the race. She received a 54 Beyer Speed Figure which was not unexpected given the result.

Video Report from jockey Luis Fuentes (who has ridden our homebred "Zinger" in the past)