Aloha West 'Feeling Fresh' in Return to Work Tab

Following a 2021 season that concluded with a nose win in the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, Aloha West  resumed breezing March 5 at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. The Wayne Catalano trainee, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, covered four furlongs on a fast track in :48 2/5. 

"He's great. He's just had his first work back; he's fresh. He worked very well; he just did what we wanted him to do," Catalano said. 

The 5-year-old son of Hard Spun   turned in a breakout performance in last fall's Breeders' Cup Sprint, rallying from seventh to catch Dr. Schivel  at the wire. That win was preceded in the summer by a pair of allowance optional claiming victories at Saratoga Race Course and a runner-up finish in the Oct. 8 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.

Catalano said he is looking at a sprint stakes on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs for Aloha West, but the main goal is the 2022 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. The main race for sprinters on Derby Day, May 7, is the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Ford (G1) over seven furlongs.

"I haven't spoken to (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' president and founder) Aron (Wellman) yet but for right now that's what it looks like to me—but the horse will tell us when he's ready," Catalano said. "That's the main goal right now, back to the Breeders' Cup."