Catalano, On Mend, Gets Arlington Win 1,000
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Eleven-time Arlington International Racecourse training champion Wayne Catalano recorded his 1,000th victory at the Illinois oval July 31 when Royal Alluvial scored a five-length tally in the second race .
Catalano earned Arlington win No. 999 when Susan Moulton's first-time starter Bella Ranger took the opener Thursday .
"I've ridden a lot of winners for Wayne," said jockey E. T. Baird, who was aboard Royal Alluvial, a 6-year-old mare who won the 6 1/2-furlong Polytrack test for $5,000 claimers by five lengths. "Winning 1,000 at one track is a milestone that few trainers ever see. I want to congratulate him."
Catalano, second to the now-retired Richard Hazelton (1,181) in Arlington's all-time trainer standings, remains hospitalized with pneumonia but is making steps on the path to recovery. Longtime assistant Fernando Canteria accepted congratulations from members of Arlington's management team.
"It's an honor to carry his name like this," Canteria said. "It's a big, big name to carry on my shoulders and I'm just trying to do my best and do it the same way he does. I've known him for a long time and that's what it is. We've been very lucky on this track and been very patient. Patience here is so important. My first day with the Catalano barn was in December of 1999 and I climbed my way up with him to where I am now (assistant trainer)."
A sign commemorating the milestone was being signed by Arlington staff and will be delivered to Catalano at Saint Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The trainer's 1,000th Arlington win came for owner Arapaho Royal.
According to statistics from Equibase, Catalano has 2,531 winners overall.