JONATHAN THOMAS knows the significance of Saratoga as a horseman. He has experienced that as an assistant trainer. Now, he is going to experience that this season as a trainer managing a small stable at Barn No. 9.
“We are happy to be here,” he said. “We have some quality animals. We are probably not going to run a lot in volume. We are going to pick and choose spots and be smart in what we do.”
As part of his 28-horse stable, Thomas brought a small set to Saratoga on June 3. For the remainder of the season, he plans to split the horses between Saratoga and Florida, especially from Bridlewood Farm in Ocala.
Along with Eagle Pass, a first-time starter running for a $75,000 maiden claiming tag on the Opening Day card, Thomas is exploring a couple of races over opening weekend, including Tillie’s Lilly for Monday’s Caress Stakes. Later in the meet, he is also considering stakes races for his other proven winners Tesora for the Coronation Cup on July 30 and Entirely for the Bolton Landing on Aug. 13.
“We have some horses looking for allowance spots. We have a few horses that we would like to take a shot at some stakes races,” Thomas said. “We might have a couple of two-year-olds who could be ready. We’ll see how they handle going on the track.”
Last year, Thomas brought two horses from Florida to Saratoga for the first time. Orecchiette finished third and sixth in two allowance races, but his other horse made Saratoga a worthy trip after winning the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes: Catholic Boy.
Thomas is coming off a stellar Belmont spring/summer meet in which he won seven races with just 14 starters – six of those winners were ridden by Javier Castellano. As part of the bigger picture, Thomas has won 16-of-63 races this year and 21-of-71 races last year. Thomas would like to see that momentum continue into Saratoga, but he knows it’s not going to be that easy.
“We had a great Belmont meet. We have been very lucky,” he said. “We brought some fresh horses here, we were lucky that some races went, and we have been a beneficiary of great rides. Everything kind of clicked together. It’s going to be tough to do that here. It’s going to be hard to improve upon that.”
Catholic Boy at the Belmont Derby. Photo by Adam Coglianese.
Thomas, 38, has always been involved in the horse industry since he was born in Virginia. When he was younger, Thomas was involved in fox hunting, showing horses, and working with steeplechase horses at Rokeby Farm.
Thomas eventually worked with thoroughbreds as a jockey before an injury ended his riding career in 2000. From there, he started working as an assistant to Todd Pletcher, Dale Romans, and Christophe Clement. Before making the commitment to training his horses for Bridlewood Farm and other owners in 2013, Thomas had worked with champion horses that included Roses in May, Kitten’s Joy, Uncle Mo, Super Saver and Voodoo Dancer.
During those times of being an assistant, Thomas said he has learned a lot that he can now bring into his first full-time season at Saratoga.
“I have been on both sides of the fence as someone who works in the horse industry and as a huge horse racing fan,” Thomas said. “I think you have to be disciplined. I think it is important to listen to your horses and make sure you have a horse that is competitive in a good spot.”
Catholic Boy continues to be a part of Thomas’s success. After finishing his two-year-old season in winning the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes on the dirt by nearly five lengths. This year, Catholic Boy has won the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge and the Grade 1 Belmont Derby with narrow, but strong finishes. While Thomas has been surprised with Catholic Boy’s winning style, he is not surprised to see what his horse has accomplished.
“The manner in which he has won, that’s a surprise,” Thomas said. “That kind of grit, determination, and heart are not things that can be trained into a horse. Since about eight months ago, he always had the feel of a Grade 1 caliber horse. To actually have that happen and get that done for him, it was very satisfying for our team.”
Thomas has not made any commitment for Catholic Boy’s next start. With the future of undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify remaining uncertain after developing swelling in his left front ankle two weeks ago, Thomas is entertaining the idea of Saratoga’s marquee race – the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 25.
“Because we are here and how he is doing, along with the complexion of the 3-year-old scene right now, I think we have to take a hard look at the Travers,” Thomas said. “I’m not saying that he is running, but we are going to look at that.”
“I would put more stock in how he breezes over this track,” he added. “I love the timing for the Travers. The seven weeks is perfect coming out of the two starts. The horse has run well here and I know he likes the distance. I think we have a very fit horse on our hands.
Thomas acknowledged that the Grade 3 Saranac Stakes on Sept. 3 at Saratoga or the Grade 1 Secretariat at Arlington Park on Aug. 11 is under consideration for Catholic Boy as well.
Regardless of his direction this season, Thomas knows Saratoga is a special meet.
“This is the most important meet on the planet,” he said. “Day in and day out, Saratoga has the best riders, the best trainers, and the best horses. There is no doubt Saratoga has the best fans. This has the best fan base than anywhere I have ever been. It’s a very important place.”
