Arlington trainer Catalano hospitalized with pneumonia

Longtime Arlington Park trainer Wayne Catalano is hospitalized in critical condition after being diagnosed with pneumonia, his wife said Thursday.

Catalano was admitted Tuesday to the intensive care unit at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. He had been feeling ill last week at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, and on the plane trip back home Saturday “he was praying the whole flight because he felt so bad,” said his wife, Renee.

She said she encouraged him to go to the doctor Sunday — when he was formally diagnosed with pneumonia — and was given an IV and medicine.

During a checkup appointment Tuesday, his oxygen levels were “dangerously low,” and he was rushed to the emergency room at St. Alexius, his wife said. Catalano turned 58 Thursday.

Catalano, an 11-time Arlington Park training champion, notched the 2,500th victory of his career in May. On Saturday, his horse Aureilia's Belle won the Arlington Oaks stakes. At Arlington Park alone, Catalano has the second most wins for a trainer.

On chicagobarntowire.com, his daughter Shelbi Catalano-Hill, posted this about her dad, who turned 58 on Thursday:

News: “He has very severe pneumonia and an infection in his lungs making it difficult for his body to produce oxygen to circulate. He is paralyzed at the time being to help his lungs and body relax while machines support him. My dad is being so incredibly strong, as he always is. He is so full of life and always positive. We will be strong and stay positive for him.”