By Ben Massam
Any doubts about the depth of trainer Wayne Catalano's 3-year-old ranks were laid to rest this past weekend after a series of promising debut performances, none more impressive than Malibu Sunset (Bernardini)'s 'TDN Rising Star' effort at the Fair Grounds Sunday.
Bet down to 9-5 favoritism, the Gary and Mary West colorbearer asserted himself immediately, opening up a clear advantage from the outset and storming home to annex the six-furlong event by 10 1/2 lengths [VIDEO]. Malibu Sunset earned a gaudy 92 Beyer Speed Figure for his performance.
“We were pretty high on him going into the race,” Catalano acknowledged. “But, obviously, running that big of a race and coming back with that kind of number is exciting.”
Catalano recalled that, although Malibu Sunset and stablemates Major League (Malibu Moon) and American Pioneer (Awesome Again) were not race-ready by the Dec. 21 deadline for Early Bird nominations to the GII Louisiana Derby in late March, he had confidence that the talented trio had distinguished themselves from his other 3-year-olds.
“We nominated three horses to the Early Bird nominations to the Louisiana Derby, and [Malibu Sunset] was one of them,” said the trainer. “We knew he could run a little bit. I think his pedigree says he can [stretch out].”
Malibu Sunset's half-brother, Thunder Moccasin (A.P. Warrior), won both of his two starts with Beyers of 97 and 93–including a score in the GII Hutcheson S. in 2012. With the Mar. 26 Louisiana Derby looming less than two months ahead on the horizon, Catalano recognized that it is important to develop a plan for his colt in the near future.
“What we'll do is let him recuperate from his race, and I'll talk it over with Benny Glass, racing manager for Gary and Mary West, and we'll talk to the Wests and set up a plan for him,” Catalano continued. “We'll definitely stretch him out sooner rather than later.”
One day before Malibu Sunset trounced his competition in New Orleans, the trainer sent out the Wests' Major League to a rallying 3 1/2-length debut score some 300 miles to the northwest at Oaklawn Park [VIDEO]. The gray's sweeping bid to the front was decidedly eye-catching, and Catalano said he is pleased to see his initial impressions of his 3-year-olds proven correct.
“Major League was [also] one of the three we nominated–those two, and the other horse who got beaten a nose over at Oaklawn, American Pioneer,” explained Catalano. “They were the only three colts that I nominated to the Early Bird.”
American Pioneer came up a length shy of Dazzling Gem (Misremembered) after steadying to avoid an injured foe when runner-up in his Jan. 16 unveiling at Oaklawn. Catalano said he will be back in the entry box soon with an eye to more important races down the line.
“We're excited about those [maiden winners] and American Pioneer, who we thought had the same kind of talent,” concluded Catalano. “One of those three, hopefully, will get us on the road.”
The conditioner added that he also has high hopes for a fourth member of the West family stable, Talk Show (Smart Strike), who finished second on debut in Hot Springs Sunday. The 3-year-old filly–a half-sister to Saturday's GIII John B. Connally Turf Cup hero Da Big Hoss (Lemon Drop Kid)–rallied from well back and crossed the wire a neck behind a more experienced rival.
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