Barbratina became the third winner for CATHOLIC BOY on Friday when the Thomas Humphries trainee won an Ellis Park Maiden Special Weight.
The seven-furlong dirt race saw the debuting Barbratina break a step slowly before getting into stride and settling just a little over a length behind the leader. When they hit the quarter pole, jockey Luan Machado moved his mount to the outside of the top three horses to come into the stretch five wide.
Barbratina made up the length advantage the leader had on her as they left the turn within a few strides of entering the stretch before starting to pull away in the final furlong. She was not for catching, winning going away by five lengths with the third placed runner nearly seven lengths behind.
Humphries is joined in Barbratina’s ownership by Glynn Puryear Jr with the duo buying her at this year’s Fasig-Tipton February sale.
Barbratina was bred by H & E Ranch out of the Tapit mare Sally Ride. The dam of two winners from three to race – led by seven-time winner Hard N’Sweet – Sally Ride is a full sister to Grade 2 winner Conquest Big E. Stakes winner Aquapazza and stakes producer Armony’s Angel are also among her siblings with Armony’s Angel producing this year’s Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Angel of Empire with Aquapazza producing the stakes placed Infringement.
CATHOLIC BOY is one of seven Kentucky-based freshmen to have at least one stakes performer this year.