Kumin Goes In On Catholic Boy

Prominent owner Sol Kumin now has a minority interest in multiple graded stakes winning 3-year-old Catholic Boy (More Than Ready), TDN confirmed Monday following an initial report by Daily Racing Form. Kumin, who races under a variety of partnership names, joined majority owner Robert LaPenta with his Madaket Stable.

The bay captured the GIII With Anticipation S. over turf last summer at Saratoga and, after a fourth-place run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, showed his versatility by dominating the GII Remsen S. Dec. 2 at Aqueduct in his dirt debut. That effort established Catholic Boy as a potential Classic contender and enticed Kumin to get involved with LaPenta. The colt, who RNA'ed for $170,000 as a Keeneland January short yearling, is scheduled to make his sophomore debut as the favorite in Saturday's GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs. He will continue to run in LaPenta's recognizable maroon and gold silks.

“I bought in a while ago, right after the Remsen,” Kumin said. “I saw the horse win the With Anticipation and was interested in him, but the speed figure in that race wasn't fast enough for me to make an offer before the Breeders' Cup, so I waited and continued to watch him. His race in the Remsen was impressive and I made an offer right after the race. I love the sire and I think he's going to continue to get better.”

Kumin and LaPenta previously partnered on graded stakes winners Coal Front (Stay Thirsty), Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) and Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) in 2017.

“I love partnering with Bob and have a close relationship with his racing manager John Panagot, who I think is great,” Kumin said. “We have had a lot of luck together and I enjoy spending time with Bob and his family at the races.”

Kumin also had praise for Catholic Boy's trainer, Jonathan Thomas, the former assistant to Todd Pletcher who handles much of Bridlewood Farm's racing stock and is rapidly emerging as one of the sharpest young trainers in racing.

“I have been using Bridlewood for the last three years or so for a combination of breaking babies and rehabs and have gotten to know Jonathan quite well,” he said. “He's a terrific guy and extremely talented and his experience from working with Todd has served him well, as he's been around many quality horses throughout his career. It's exciting to be part of a top quality horse with him and I have a great deal of confidence that he and Bob will manage Catholic Boy's career the right way. I get to come along for the ride and try and bring some good luck.”