by Jeff Apel

Wishful Tomcat set a pressured pace, shook clear approaching the stretch, and earned his first graded stakes victory with a 1 3/4-length win in the $110,100 Discovery Handicap (G3) on Saturday at Aqueduct.

Positioned near the inside rail at the start, Wishful Tomcat was rated on the lead by jockey Ramon Dominguez and maintained a half-length advantage against Web Gem through a half-mile in :48.66 and six furlongs in 1:14.24. After increasing his advantage on the turn, Wishful Tomcat comfortably held off a late bid from runner-up That’srightofficer and earned his third consecutive victory.

New York-bred Wishful Tomcat entered off back-to-back wins at Belmont in the Floral Park Stakes on September 24 and the John’s Gold Stakes on October 23.

“He has a heart of gold,” trainer Gary Contessa said. “All I can say is, ‘Watch out New York-breds.’ I would like to see him dominate stakes races here this winter.”

Owned by Winter Park Partners, Wishful Tomcat was positioned inside of Web Gem at the start and led by a half-length lead through an opening quarter in :24.23. The Tactical Cat ridgling opened a two-length lead in early stretch and won the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:53.28 on a track rated as fast.

“I found myself in front and just let him roll,” Dominguez said. “I didn’t know how much horse I was going to have turning for home, but when I asked him, he re-broke all over again and finished up full of run.”

Multiple stakes-placed winner That’srightofficer finished 1 1/2 lengths clear of Grade 3 winner and third-place finisher Ready Set. Lieutenant Ron, the 1.25-to-1 favorite in a field of seven, tired in the stretch and finished fifth. 

Wishful Tomcat earned his fifth win in 11 starts and increased his earnings to $280,509. Bred by Anthony Grey, Wishful Tomcat is a half brother to multiple stakes-placed winner Uncle T Seven and is one of six winners from seven starters out of the winning Lord At War (Arg) mare Holy Wish.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Jeff Apel is a Thoroughbred Times assistant daily news editor