Cattin makes it look easy on Gulfstream’s Tapeta

In his first 16 starts, Cattin never raced on the turf, so it was no problem when the $25,000 claimer at one mile on the grass that he was entered in at Gulfstream Park Sunday was switched to the Tapeta surface at a mile and 70 yards.

With Emisael Jaramillo in the irons, the 5-year-old Neolithic gelding, coming off a runner-up finish in his previous try, took the lead at the break and controlled the pace throughout, winning by two lengths in 1:41.46. The gelding bred by Curtis Mikkelsen and Patricia Horth, a $25,000 OBS yearling, paid $8, and tied his career best Equibase “E” speed figure of 94. The winner’s check of $24,100 raised his bankroll to $243,485 on a record of 4-1-3 in his 17 starts. He became winner No. 32 for Neolithic this year, tying his final total from 2023.