Four-year-old American-bred chestnut filly Catalina Princess celebrated the long-awaited milestone by securing her first victory on home turf in the opening race on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Catalina Princess was making her fifth career start.
Competing in a contest designed for four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) as well as imported four-year-olds and upward (maidens), the race spanned a distance of 5 furlongs around the track.
Under the training of Dalton Sirjue and expertly piloted by jockey Dane Dawkins, Catalina Princess showcased her potential by crossing the finish line first, winning decisively by a length and three-quarters, clocking 1:01.2 (splits of 24.2 and 48.3).
Right from the start, Catalina Princess broke sharply, positioning herself firmly in third place behind the leaders, Nerissa’s Angel (Javaniel Patterson) and Pineapple (Robert Halledeen), as they navigated the half-mile turn. As the race progressed, she gained momentum, hugging the inside rail to cut the turn to prime herself for a powerful finish.
When Dawkins called upon her in the final furlong, Catalina Princess responded with impressive vigour, effortlessly outpacing both Pineapple and Adira (Demar Williams) to clinch her first victory on local soil.
