Catholic Boy Seeks to Pad Resume in Suburban

[Wandering Eyes]

Few Thoroughbreds in recent memory have held the distinction of being Grade I winners on dual surfaces, which was why Catholic Boy (More Than Ready) caused quite a stir last summer at the Spa when romping in the GI Travers S. after he defeated top turf runners in the GI Belmont Derby. Following that memorable Travers, Catholic Boy was eased in a disappointing effort in the Nov 3. GI Breeders’ Cup Classic before being sidelined. The Jonathan Thomas trainee redeemed himself in his 2019 debut, taking the May 18 GII Dixie S. over the Pimlico lawn. Returning to the scene of his first Grade I victory in Saturday’s GII Suburban S., the bay will start as the 123-pound high-weight and morning-line favorite in his attempt to add another dirt graded stakes win to his resume.

“He came back very well. We were fortunate that he had time off because we wanted to give him time off, not because of any injuries,” said Thomas. “He came back great we were really happy with his effort in the Dixie and subsequently he’s trained well. He’s always been a clockwork horse in the sense that he’s very reliable and consistent, so we’ve been seeing more of the same from him. Hopefully, that translates to a good effort on Saturday. It will have a big say in where we head next or which direction we stay on.”

Thomas mentioned the Aug. 31 GI Woodward S. at Saratoga as a possible target for the versatile runner’s summer campaign.

Dubbed a ‘TDN Rising Star’ upon his impressive maiden score as juvenile in the winter of 2017, Marconi (Tapit) appears to have found his best stride as a 4-year-old after putting together a trio of stakes victories for owners Bridlewood Farm, Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor. The half-brother to 2013 GI Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) annexed the June 8 GII Brooklyn S. in wire-to-wire fashion in his previous start.

Centennial Farms’ has a pair of formidable runners the Suburban. Preservationist (Arch) makes his first start in graded stakes company following consecutive optional-claimer wins in New York, including a 101 Beyer Speed Figure-earning performance May 23 at the Long Island oval. The hard knocking Rocketry (Hard Spun) fell a half-length short of catching Marconi in the Brooklyn in his prior effort. A route specialist and the victor in last year’s GII Breeders Cup Marathon at Churchill, the bay has been out of the money only twice in 12 starts over the 1 1/4-mile distance.

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