It was an eighth winner for CATHOLIC BOY at Laurel Park with Surprenant Cocca winning a Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
Going off as the race favorite, Surprenant Cocca raced just over three lengths off the lead early on before taking a closer spot soon after. Jockey Kevin Gomez let her race a few paths wide into the turn before going for the lead. She challenged the long-time leader just outside the final quarter, and easily took over the lead going into the stretch when still under firm handling.
Finally released in midstretch, she quickly bolted away from the field to win by 2 ¾ lengths to score her first victory after two third place finishes.
The filly is trained by Graham Motion for Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, who purchased her as a weanling from St George Sales at the Keeneland November Sale.
Bred by Bobby Austin, she is one of two winners from two to race out of the three-time winning Tapit mare Grey Stark. That mare is a half-sister to three stakes performers out of the stakes winning Amansara. There are 10 stakes winners and eight other stakes performers under Surprenant Cocca’s first three dams.
CATHOLIC BOY’s eight winners is 11th best of all freshmen with few runners than many in the top 10.