NEWS
Catalano secures milestone 2,000th win on Wednesday at Hawthorne
Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 4:58 PM
by Mike Curry
Trainer Wayne Catalano recorded his 2,000th career victory on Wednesday when Dunscombe closed from off the pace to win the third race at Hawthorne Race Course.
The Graeme Hall gelding saved ground early under Inosencio Diego, rallied into contention on the far turn in the 1 1/16-mile claiming race, and powered well clear in the stretch to prevail as the 9-to-10 favorite and cement the milestone win for Catalano.
“I thought we would win the race. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it back to Hawthorne but, unfortunately, I had business elsewhere,” Catalano said. “However, my wife [Renee] and daughter [Shelbi] were there to represent me. My wife has been there all along. They’ve all been great wins.
Catalano, 53, also has 1,413 runner-up finishes and 1,213 third-place finishes from 9,694 starters that have amassed more than $36-million in purse earnings since he took out his trainer’s license in 1983. The New Orleans native has won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) twice—with champion She Be Wild in 2009 and champion Dreaming of Anna in ‘06.
Catalano exercised horses at Fair Grounds for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg before he began riding professionally, winning his first race on May 20, 1974, at Churchill Downs aboard Hellfire. He was North America’s second-leading rider by wins in 1977 and amassed 1,792 victories during a nine-year career before he retired in ‘83 and started training.
Catalano, who said he always knew he would move on to training after his riding career ended, is an eight-time leading trainer at Arlington Park and ranks third all time at the track by victories.
“I especially want to thank Jack Van Berg,” said Catalano, who lives in Elgin, Illinois. “He taught me so much about every aspect of racing.
“I also want to thank all the owners that gave me this opportunity. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
