The second time was the charm for CATHOLIC BOY’s Catholika on Sunday when the Korina Stable-owned filly won a Gulfstream Park Maiden Special Weight.
Catholika was happy to settle in midpack behind the leaders in the 1 mile and 70 yard race on the synthetic track. Racing two paths wide early, she was sent even wider around the turn to have clear running room going into the stretch.
That was exactly what she needed to close late and get up in time to score a half-length victory. WAR FRONT’s Claiborne homebred Strife finished second in the race on her own debut.
Trained by Jose Francisco D’Angelo, Catholika is out of the Group III winning Marypop. That mare’s three foals include two winners, following in her own dam’s footsteps of producing three winners from five to race.
This is also the extended family of Group 1 winners Bering, Bayrir, Levante, and Maven Belle.
She is the 13th winner of the year for CATHOLIC BOY, putting him eighth among all second crop sires in 2024. He is one of only 11 in his generation to sire a stakes winner this year as well.