Churchill Downs Update: Catalano Celebrates First Claiming Crown Win in 20 Years

Nov 17, 2024

Two decades after his first Claiming Crown triumph, trainer Wayne Catalano returned to the winner’s circle Saturday when Ghostly Gal upset the $174,500 Claiming Crown Tiara at Churchill Downs.

The 6-year-old mare, owned by Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, surged late under jockey Vincent Cheminaud to defeat 3-5 favorite Dana’s Beauty by a head in the 1 1/16-mile turf contest.

“It’s very special to win a Claiming Crown race,” Catalano said. “I won my first one back in 2004 when it was at Canterbury Park. I won the Jewel with a horse named Intelligent Male with jockey Eddie Martin Jr. up. I had to wait a little while to get my next one on Saturday but I’m very glad I was able to get another one.”

Ghostly Gal joined Catalano’s barn earlier this year and became eligible to run in the Claiming Crown Tiara with a victory in a $25,000 claiming race on Aug. 14 at Colonial Downs. Saturday’s win marked her sixth career victory which improved her record to 15-6-2-3 with earnings of $230,470.

Ghostly Gal is expected to target the $250,000 My Charmer Stakes on Dec. 14 at Turfway Park, which is part of the new Synthetic Championships.

“She’s been a wonderful addition to the barn,” Catalano said. “We’ll see how she comes out of this race but the My Charmer seems like a good next step.”

Catalano, who regularly shares his nightly cooking expertise on his X account @CATRacingStable, said he took a rare night off from the kitchen and enjoyed dinner at the Suburban Fish Fry. His cooking fans won’t have to wait much longer until Catalano begins to share his Thanksgiving recipes with the holiday less than two weeks away.

 

$251,779 CARRYOVER IN LATE PICK 5 SUNDAY – A carryover of $251,779 awaits bettors Sunday for the 50-cent Late Pick 5 at Churchill Downs.

There were no winning tickets with five winners on Saturday’s Late Pick 5 on Claiming Crown Day. There was only one winning favorite in Saturday’s series of races: Jubilant Joanie ($5.74 to win) in Race 7 which was the first leg of the wager. Voodoo Zip ($69.52), Like a Saltshaker ($28.64), Laughing Boy ($23.02) and Echo Lane ($27.04) were the other winners.

Sunday’s Late Pick 5 sequence, which covers Races 5-9 starting at 2:57 p.m. (all times Eastern), includes a $50,000 maiden claiming event over one mile for 2-year-old fillies that drew a field of eight; a first-level $100,000 optional claiming event for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles that attracted seven entries; a $120,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies over six furlongs with a field of 11; a third-level $100,000 optional claiming event at 6 ½ furlongs that drew seven 3-year-olds and up; and a $30,000 claiming race at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds and up that are non-winners of two races lifetime which attracted 10 entrants.

Also, the carryover for the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot, run over races 4-9, has grown to $120,219.

 

DOWN THE STRETCH – Jockey Tyler Gaffalione said x-rays were negative when he was evaluated at UofL Hospital on Saturday after his mount, Shadow Coast, clipped heels leaving the starting gate causing the 30-year-old jockey to fall. “I’m all good, just sore,” Gaffalione said Sunday after taking off his five mounts on the card. … Jockey Axel Concepcion will serve a three-day suspension Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. He is scheduled to resume riding Friday at Fair Grounds. … Jockey Julien Leparoux was two wins away from 3,000 career victories. He was named on two horses Sunday at Churchill Downs. … Trainer Dallas Stewart had no entries Sunday and remained one win away from 1,000 career victories. His next horses are scheduled to run Friday at Fair Grounds. … For more information about the Fall Meet, visit www.churchilldowns.com.