Calusa became the first winner for freshman sire Aloha West with a front-running 3 1/4-length debut victory July 25 at Gulfstream Park. The Joseph Catanese III-owned and -trained 2-year-old gelding raced 5 furlongs on a firm turf course in :55.95.
The Florida-bred earned $21,300 in taking the maiden claiming contest, which carried a $35,740 purse and in which the five juveniles raced for a $35,000 claiming price. He paid $14.60 to win.
Matalona Thoroughbreds bred the winner out of the Havana Gold mare Belacqua.
Calusa is among eight 2-year-old starters this year for Aloha West, who stood this past breeding season at Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky for $6,500. His other juveniles include Ohana Lulu, second in both of her starts and entered in a July 31 maiden special weight at Ellis Park.
Aloha West is a 9-year-old son of Hard Spun out of the grade 3-winning Speightstown mare Island Bound. He entered stud at Mill Ridge Farm in 2023 for a $10,000 fee after capping a career in which he won six of 13 starts and more than $1.5 million. He raced predominantly for owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Wayne Catalano.
In his signature victory in the 2021 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar, Aloha West caught multiple grade 1 winner Dr. Schivel by a nose.
First winner for ALOHA WEST🚨
— Mill Ridge Farm (@millridgefarm) July 25, 2026
CALUSA on debut takes them all the way in the 2nd race at @GulfstreamPark. Congratulations to all connections!
Bred by Matalona Thoroughbreds LLC. pic.twitter.com/lCh5pTZ2Eq
