Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Catalytic

Apr 17, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Tammi Bobo, Julie Davies, and Geroge Isaacs’ Catalytic ranks 15th on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series leaderboard with 50 qualifying points. Trained by Saffie Joseph, the sophomore checked in second in the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on April 6 in his latest appearance.

“He’s a good horse. It wasn’t the ideal circumstance, but he was brave today. I had a lot of respect for some of the horses in the race and he ran a really good second.” Joseph said following the Florida Derby. “He should improve a lot from this. Hopefully he comes out well, and we’ve got five weeks to keep dreaming.”

The lightly raced colt debuted on Oct. 7 at Gulfstream Park and pulled away to a clear score at first asking while running 6 1/2 furlongs against maiden special weight foes. In his 2024 bow, the bay rallied to be a nice runner-up in an allowance dash at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8. His lifetime line reads 3-1-2-0, $216,825.

Catalytic was bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and passed through the ring on a pair of occasions. The son of Catalina Cruiser went for $70,000 at 2021 Keeneland November, prior to bringing the gavel down at $125,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

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He was produced from the Distorted Humor mare One Show Only, who is a full-sister to the Grade-3 placed Poof Too. This is the same female line as 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Super Saver, as well as Grade 1 star Bluegrass Cat, who came home second in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont S. (G1) in 2006.

Catalytic has posted Brisnet Speed numbers of 85-87-90 from three career assignments to date, and he is currently a few notches below the top horses in his crop at this stage of his development. The three-year-old would be a major surprise at Churchill Downs on May 4, in my opinion.

Track this horse with free TwinSpires Stable Alerts: Add Catalytic to your stable now.