Catch a Flight Finds Just Enough in San Diego

Dialing back in distance proved to be the winning formula for Haras Santa Maria de Araras' Catch a Flight, who wore down longshot Appealing Tale in the final strides to take the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 25 at Del Mar.



After finishing third behind Hard Aces and fellow San Diego runner Hoppertunity in the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup at Santa Anita Park (gr. I) June 27, the son of Giant's Causeway   was back in his comfort zone Saturday, tracking in third through much of the 1 1/16-mile event before catching 9-1 Appealing Tale at the wire to win by a head.



Since relocating from Brazil, the 5-year-old Argentine-bred is now 4-for-4 in races at 1 1/16 and 1 1/8 miles. At 1 1/4 miles, he has two thirds, albeit both grade I events, in the Gold Cup and Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).



Under the guidance of jockey Gary Stevens for trainer Richard Mandella, Catch a Flight sat in third, four lengths back, as 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Bayern led the way with fractions of :24.06, :47.80, and 1:11.30 through six furlongs, with Appealing Tale just off the leader.



But after the final turn, Bayern faded and Appealing Tale drew clear before getting caught late. Catch a Flight, who still had 3 1/2 lengths to make up in the stretch, finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.08.

"We got the great setup today and I rode him better (than in the Gold Cup)... I don't think distance is a big thing with this horse," said Stevens, who moved into a tie for most stakes wins at Del Mar (83) with the victory. "He can handle that. He just needs the setup and we got it today."

Favored Bayern (7-5) hung on to finish third, just ahead of his Bob Baffert stablemate Hoppertunity.

Appealing Tale, with jockey Joe Talamo aboard, is still without a stakes win after the near miss, but ran one of the best races of his career.

"Brutal," Talamo said. "Just a brutal loss."

Catch a Flight paid $8.40, $3.80, and $2.80 across the board. Appealing Tale brought $6.80 and $4.40. Bayern delivered $3 to show.



Bred by Estacion de Montas La Mission S. A. and Tupacireta S.R.L.A.G., out of the Lode mare Callaia, Catch a Flight now has a 10-0-4 record from 17 lifetime starts with $573,239 in earnings. The San Diego was his third graded win since relocating from Brazil in 2014.

"He won a lot of races in Brazil, not against the highest competition, but it gave him a good bit of experience," said Mandella, who also indicated his trainee's next start would be in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) Aug. 22. "He came here and he just keeps getting better and better."



Sahara Sky finished fifth, followed by Sammy Mandeville and Majestic City, to complete the order of finish. Nowalking was scratched.