Cantcatchthiscat is First Stakes Winner for Cat Burglar

Cantcatchthiscat became the first black-type stakes winner for Cat Burglar when the 2-year-old gelding won the Lads Stakes at Emerald Downs Aug. 17. A 15-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, Cat Burglar stands at Barton Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez, Calif., where his 2025 fee was $2,500. Ridden by Isaias Enriquez, Cantcatchthiscat was settled into fourth while racing two-wide early, advanced nearing the quarter pole and took the lead nearing the eighth pole. He continued his momentum to the wire, winning by 1 1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:16.62 for 6 1/2 furlongs over a fast track. Bred in Washington state by Dr. and Mrs. Jack B. Root Jr., Cantcatchthiscat was produced from the unraced Malibu Moon mare Mahee Moon. Cantcatchthiscat is trained by Frank Lcarelli for owner Margaret Root and has won two of six career starts. Previous to his breakthrough stake victory, the gelding placed third in Emerald's King County Express Stakes. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Cat Burglar earned $538,720 while compiling a record of 6-6-4 from 22 starts. He won the Santana Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park, finished second in the Precisionist Stakes (G3), and came in third in the San Diego Handicap (G2) and Brooklyn Invitational Stakes (G2), among other graded stakes performances.