Ohio horse of the year Catlaunch made 108 career starts while racing until age 12, earning more than $1.1 million while winning 23 stakes in his home state. Dr. Zarnett has a long, long way to go to reach those lofty numbers. But after winning his first stakes race this year, the seasoned runner will look to keep a fine season going as he makes his 48th career start in the $75,000 Catlaunch Stakes for Ohio-accredited 3-year-olds and up over 1 1/16 miles on Thursday at Thistledown. Dr. Zarnett, a 6-year-old gelding who is currently trained by Shane Meyers after changing hands several times during his career, has won nine times from his 47 outings to date. Four of those wins have come this season, and he has stepped up to deliver strong performances in stakes company. He finished second in the George Lewis Memorial Stakes in June going this distance on the dirt at Thistledown, behind Romantic Cowboy, who he faces again Thursday. He went on to win the Buckeye Native Stakes on the Belterra Park turf in August, defeating two more members of this field, with First Song in second and Excitement in third. Most recently, Dr. Zarnett was fourth in an allowance race going a mile at Thistledown. :: Bet the races with a $250 First Deposit Match + $10 Free Bet and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. Jareth Loveberry, aboard Dr. Zarnett in the Buckeye Native for the gelding’s first stakes win, gets back aboard Thursday. The 7-year-old Firsthand Justice, coming in with 74 starts, and Manga Man, with 50 starts, join Dr. Zarnett as the most experienced runners in the field. A win for either would be appropriate in a race named for a stalwart such as Catlaunch. Manga Man, a stakes winner back in 2019, has not won since November 2022. Firsthand Justice goes even farther back, as he has not won since October 2021. He owns four career stakes placings. Relish the Ride won last year’s Catlaunch by five lengths. Authentic Cowtown, Romantic Cowboy, and Firsthand Justice, all back for this year’s edition, rounded out the superfecta in that renewal. The Catlaunch was the first stakes win for Relish the Ride after five prior placings at the level. However, he has not run back to that form, and his lone win this year came in an allowance race. Excitement, the lone 3-year-old in this field, leads the less-experienced runners for the strong partnership of Kentucky-based WinStar Farm and prominent Ohio trainer, breeder, and owner Tim Hamm. Excitement’s three wins from his nine career starts have all come at Thistledown, and his affinity for the track could serve him well in a well-matched group. This field of 11 is rounded out by Danes Heart, Red Head Kid, and Venture On. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.