Ohio-Bred Catlaunch Joins Millionaire Ranks

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Photo: Courtesy River Downs

Catlaunch and trainer Ivan Vazquez.

Two-time Ohio Horse of the Year Catlaunch joined the millionaire ranks on July 16 when he led wire to wire in the $50,000 George Lewis Memorial at Thistledown (VIDEO). 

The 10-year-old gelded son of Noble Cat was recording his 38th career victory in his 87th start in the 1 1/8 mile test, and the Ohio-bred’s payday of $30,000 pushed his career earnings to $1,011,884.

Ridden by Luis Gonzalez, Catlaunch quickly set the pace and held sway by at least three lengths at every point of call, with River Downs’ shipper Busha chasing him in second all the way. 

At the wire Catlaunch was 3 3/4 lengths in front, with Busha nosing out Raise the Reward for second. The final time was 1:53.48.

“He pretty much trains himself,” said Ivan Vazquez, who has been with the gelding since his 2-year-old season for breeder-owner Ron Fields’ Scioto Farm. “At River Downs he has to be the first horse out on the track in the morning or he gets mad. He seems to know exactly how hard he has work to maintain his shape. In the races he pretty much challenges the others to come and get him and if they do he digs right back in. He is a wonderful horse to be around.”

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