Tales from the Crib: Catching Freedom

Apr 19, 2024 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Other prospective buyers saw the same positives, and the bidding spiraled up to $575,000. At that price, the gavel came down, and Albaugh secured the colt through bloodstock agent Barry Berkelhammer, who teaches the youngsters their early lessons at his Ocala, Florida, farm.

Given the name Catching Freedom, a clever play on parents Constitution and Catch My Drift, the colt was never going to be the precocious juvenile who blitzes through his training. But he went through school capably.

“He’s bred to get two turns; he didn’t show the speed of a May or June type (of two-year-old),” Loutsch said. “He had talent, and he was doing well at the farm. They develop from the time they leave Barry’s, and just get better.”

That’s been the watchword for Catching Freedom ever since he joined Cox at the racetrack. Although he won two of his first four starts, and ran well the other times, he was racing greenly, lugging in, or not changing leads readily. It was a sign of his raw ability that he won the Smarty Jones S. and placed third in the Risen Star (G2) while still a work in progress.

Catching Freedom Returns Albaugh Stable to Derby Trail https://t.co/cS07tUHXml via @BloodHorse

Great people for the game. Dennis and Jason amd their families love racing and hoping this @WinStarFarm bred keeps improving. Great start to ‘24!

— Elliott Walden (@WinStarCEO) January 3, 2024

Catching Freedom turned the proverbial corner in the Louisiana Derby (G2). Touting himself in his morning breezes going into the final prep, he uncorked a professional rally from last to prevail at Fair Grounds.

“His two works before the Louisiana Derby were his two best works,” Loutsch commented, adding that the colt is continuing his upward curve ahead of the first Saturday in May.

“He’s happy, healthy, improving every day. I’m confident that the distance isn’t going to be an issue. He’ll break a lot sharper in the Derby,” ensuring better early position.

Loutsch credits Albaugh’s sales team for unearthing such talented prospects – “They’re on the sales grounds from opening to when they close” – and Cox’s team for patiently developing Catching Freedom into a serious Derby contender.

“We feel like we’re getting closer and closer to the ultimate goal.”

As the Kentucky Derby celebrates its 150th running, a Constitution colt named Catching Freedom suits this time-honored piece of Americana.