Catalina Red Breaks Track Record at Tampa

Third on debut over the lawn at Gulfstream Sept. 6, Catalina Red filled that spot again in a grassy maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park West Oct. 9. Second to X Y Jet in a state-bred test on the main track there Nov. 8, he earned his diploma with an impressive 7 1/4-length score in this venue's six-panel Inaugural S. Dec. 6. Tracking from an eager third through a snappy opening quarter in :22.37, the favorite was rated back to a two-wide fourth through a half in :44.54 before being let loose approaching the far turn. It was a two-horse race between the flashy chestnut and his old rival X Y Jet in the lane, but Catalina Red would not let that foe get the better of him this time and dug down deep for a gutsy victory that broke the previous track record of 1:22.55 set in 2006. “I was very concerned because [X Y Jet] had an easy lead and no one was pushing him,” winning trainer Chad Stewart said. “I had faith in my horse and a lot of faith in [jockey] Danny [Centeno], but I almost thought he was sitting too chilly. But Danny can really pick one up and carry him on down and that's what happened. He showed a lot of heart today.” Centeno added, “[X Y Jet] was going fast up front and I had to use my horse a little sooner than I wanted. We were really in stride getting into the stretch and I expected to get past easily, but he battled with us every step and it was only at the wire we edged clear. My horse had to be game to win today, and he can only get better.” Click for the brisnet.com chart or VIDEO.

PASCO S., $65,000, TAM, 12-27, 2yo, 7f, 1:21 2/5 (NTR), ft. 
1–CATALINA RED, 120, c, 2, by Munnings 
     1st Dam: Lovely Dream (SP, $148,329), by Freud 
     2nd Dam: Saralil, by Saratoga Six 
     3rd Dam: Little Cille, by Damascus 
($55,000 yrl '13 OBSAUG; $71,000 2yo '14 
OBSAPR). O-Anthony A Lenci; B-France Weiner & 
Irwin J Weiner (FL); T-Chad J Stewart; J-Daniel 
Centeno. $30,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2, 
$74,680. **1/2 to Whiskey Bravo (Fusaichi 
Pegasus), SP, $153,020. 
2–X Y Jet, 116, c, 2, Kantharos–Soldiersingsblues, by 
Lost Soldier. ($30,000 RNA yrl '13 OBSJAN; 
$56,000 yrl '13 OBSAUG). O-Gelfenstein Farm. 
$20,000. 
3–Charlie's Brother, 116, c, 2, With Distinction– 
Rockandrollqueen, by Deputy Commander. ($25,000 
yrl '13 OBSAUG; $35,000 RNA 2yo '14 OBSJUN). 
O-Stanley Moles & Starr Stables LLC. $10,000. 
Margins: NK, 6 1/4, 5 3/4. Odds: 0.60, 2.20, 10.10.