SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockey Jose Ortiz said he didn’t really plan to go to the lead with Cathkin Peak in Wednesday’s $135,000 John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga. But Ortiz not only found himself in front, he found himself with a commanding advantage he and Cathkin Peak would never relinquish en route to a decisive, five-length victory in the 1 5/8-mile fixture decided over a course officially rated good after being soaked by torrential rains 48 hours earlier.
Cathkin Peak was making his first start since being haltered by trainer Mike Maker in the interest of Flying P Stable two months earlier at Churchill Downs. It was only the second time Cathkin Peak had raced beyond nine furlongs in 20 career outings, the first coming in the Grade 2 Del Mar Handicap nearly a year ago.
Cathkin Peak took the lead about a furlong into the John’s Call and wasted little time opening a five-length advantage while under a snug hold by Ortiz. Cathkin Peak nearly doubled that margin in the run down the backstretch the second time around and was never seriously menaced at any point while kept under a drive by Ortiz to the wire.
Six Minus was first to show in front, readily relinquished command to Cathkin Peak shortly after the start, gained closer contention on the final turn, but remained no match for the winner through the final quarter-mile. It was another 6 1/4 lengths back to the 6-5 favorite Andthewinneris, who finished a distant third.
Cathkin Creek gave Maker his second win in the last three renewals of the John’s Call. He sent out Girl Dad to capture the event when taken off the turf and decided at 1 1/4 miles over the main track in 2022.
Cathkin Creek completed the distance in 2:48.30 seconds and returned $9.90. The John's Call was restricted to older horses who had not won a Grade 1 or Grade 2 stakes on the turf in 2024,
“I had no plan coming in but I knew there wasn’t a lot of speed in the field, maybe one other horse,” Ortiz said. “My horse had never showed he can be on the lead, but he was running through fast paces, 46 and 47, so I allowed him to break, we went into the first turn with an easy lead and he just kept going. So we’re very happy with the outcome.”
Ortiz said he was pleased with the way Cathkin Peak negotiated the soggy footing.
“He was handling the soft going very nicely, he was very happy and just doing it all by himself,” said Ortiz. “He went very even throughout and when I asked him, he was there for me. A great job by Mike [Maker], he always finds these claims and does well with them.”
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