Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Catching Freedom

Jan 02, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Catching Freedom wins the 2023 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park

Catching Freedom wins the 2024 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Photography)

Albaugh Family Stables’ Catching Freedom now has 125 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard following his victory in the March 23 Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds.

Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, Catching Freedom rallied from last in the 11-horse Louisiana Derby field to win going away by a length. The bay, who was improving from a third in the Feb. 17 Risen Star (G2), finished 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.16 on the fast track.

“I didn’t know what to make of it early on, being so far back and with not much pace,” Cox admitted, “but Flavien did a great job of letting him inch up. He needed pretty much the entire stretch to get there, and I am very proud of the effort.”

Catching Freedom earned his first 10 qualifying points with his 2 1/2-length score in the $300,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 1. The Cox trainee negotiated 1 1/16 miles on the fast main oval in 1:44.59.

“Very proud of the horse. I think he’s still learning,” Cox said after the Smarty Jones. “I think he was a little green there down the lane, but overall showed that he does have a lot of stamina and talent. I thought he stepped up and ran well against a solid group of three-year-olds.”

Catching Freedom commenced his career on Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs and impressed when rallying to a 3 3/4-length maiden special weight victory while traveling one mile. He preceded his tally at Oaklawn with a solid fourth-place allowance result beneath the Twin Spires on Nov. 9.

Catching Freedom was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and brought the gavel down at $575,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The Constitution colt is the third black-type performer produced from the stakes winning Pioneerof the Nile mare Catch My Drift, who captured the 2015 Summer Colony S. and also placed in that season’s Beldame S. (G1), as well. His siblings include Bishops Bay, second in both the 2023 Peter Pan S. (G3) and Ohio Derby (G3), as well as Strava, who checked in third in the 2022 Ellis Park Derby.

The sophomore has displayed a nice turn of foot in each start, but he took a substantial step forward by notching a 100 Brisnet Speed rating in the Louisiana Derby. He is bred to run longer, and the ceiling is very high for the talented bay, who brings a record of 5-3-0-1, $877,350 into the Kentucky Derby.

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