In the business world everything starts with a strategic plan. A strategic plan defines “where you are going” and “how you are going to get there”. If you don’t know where you are going then don’t be surprised when you end up somewhere you had not intended!
The thoroughbred racing business isn’t any different. Whether you own one horse or several, you need to map out a plan for each horse.
Yesterday at Del Mar racetrack in San Diego, everything “went according to plan” when one of our (Woodford Racing) horses, Catapult, won the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile.
In the case of Catapult, you have to go back to October 2017 to understand the “plan”. Catapult had just finished second at Laurel Park (Maryland) in the Grade 2, Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup Stakes. While he ran extremely well, it was getting to the end of the racing season and planning for 2018 was underway. Since Catapult was not going to race again in 2017, we thought it made sense to send him to Dr. Larry Bramlage to be checked over. Bramlage is the world renowned equine surgeon in Lexington, Kentucky who has been involved in the careers of almost all good thoroughbreds at some point. In the case of Catapult, Bramlage indicated he had a small chip in one of his knees that he thought should be removed. He went on to say Catapult will return to the races as good if not better, if the chip is removed. The surgery was performed in late November 2017 with a recoup period into February.
As Catapult was completing his recuperation the decision was made to send him to trainer John Sadler on the West Coast to race in 2018. Shortly after receiving Catapult, Sadler indicated he was going to bring him along slowly for his return to the races. The plan included running Catapult in a prep race at Santa Anita Park in June with the near term goal being the Grade 2, $250,000 Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on July 22.
In his return race at Santa Anita in June, Catapult ran second and gave us every indication he was progressing nicely. As the July 22 Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes approached we were quietly confident Catapult would run well. As he powered down the stretch to win the Eddie Read Stakes our patient approach with Catapult was rewarded.
While the victory in the Eddie Read was rewarding, Catapult’s win in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile confirmed he is one of the best turf milers currently in training. The Del Mar Mile had 13 entrants, several having won graded stakes races. Under the patient ride of jockey Drayden Van Dyke, Catapult saved ground along the rail, found a seam at the top of the stretch and drew off to win convincingly! Watch the race here.
Looking back at the decisions made in October 2017 and subsequently in early 2018, it’s nice to say “things have gone according to plan”!
Bloodhorse Article on Catapult