Catman Breaks Maiden in Laurel Futurity

BALTIMORE, MD – Trainer/co-owner Mike Maker’s belief in Catman came to fruition on Saturday as he broke his maiden in the $150,000 Laurel Futurity at Pimlico.

Catman was in the middle of a bumper-car start between all six runners, then settled into second under jockey Daniel Centeno, who kept him two-wide and in the clear.

Nautilus set the opening pace, posting fractions of :25.33 and :51.23 before Catman ranged up to take the lead midway through the far turn.

Nautilus fought back briefly, but Catman assumed full command shortly after straightening for home, then fought off Wootton Asset to win the 1 1/16-mile yielding turf route by a nose in 1:50.51.

Kidnapped took third over Pivotal Mission, while behind them came the nonthreatening 9/5 favorite Hidden Enemy and an empty Nautilus to complete the order of finish.

No One to Blame, Light Us Up, Arrest Me Red, and Tijuana Brass were scratched from the race restricted to 2-year-old runners.

Catman’s win followed a strong second-place effort in a 1-mile Kentucky Downs maiden special weight, where he missed by just a head. The Kitten’s Joy colt now carries a record of 3-1-1-0 with $108,432 earned for co-owers Maker, Paradise Farms Corp, David Staudacher, John Piehowicz, and Angelo Carlesimo.

Catman returned $22.60 to win, $7.40 to place, and $5 to show. Wootton Asset brought back $5 to place and $4 to show, while Kidnapped paid $5.40 to show.