Catapult closed in time to capture the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Mile on Sunday, completing a sensational weekend for trainer John Sadler -- who won the Pacific Classic on Saturday with Accelerate -- and a record day for jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who for the first time in his career won five races on a card.
Catapult ($12.20) out-finished Fly To Mars to win by a half-length. Fly To Mars ducked out sharply in deep stretch under Tyler Gaffalione, interfering with Sharp Samurai, and was disqualified by the stewards from second back to third. Sharp Samurai, who finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Fly To Mars after taking up sharply, was promoted to second. He was ridden by Gary Stevens.
Catapult was timed in 1:33.40 for one mile on firm turf.
Catapult, 5, joined Sadler's barn earlier this year. This was his third start for him. Earlier this meet, he won the Grade 2 Eddie Read going nine furlongs on turf.
The victory was the sixth in 15 lifetime starts for Catapult, a horse by Kitten's Joy who is owned by Woodford Racing.
A full recap will be up in a bit at www.drf.com