Caracortado in top form as he impresses in his final work ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint
First in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap, Michael Machowsky trained 4-year-old gelding, Caracortado was at his best when he turned in bullet four furlongs in 46 seconds flat over a fast track under rider Zoe Cadman at Santa Anita Park.
It was a remarkable performance ahead of his Breeders’ Cup race, as he managed to top the 59 horses on that day that ran over the same distance.
The son of Cat Dreams, out of Mons Venus by Maria’s Mon, Caracortado is pointed to the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint which is to be held at Churchill Downs on 5 November, 2011, at about five furlongs against 3-year-old males and beyond.
Field of 11 so far has been drawn for the race and the potential threat for Caracortado would be the seven-year-old gelding, California Flag, who is trained by Brian Cornier for Hi Card Ranch.
The son of Avenue of Flags, out of Ultrafleet by Afleet, California Flag too is coming off a win in the Grade 3 Morvich S. at Santa Anita Park on 10 October, 2011, under jockey Patrick Valenzuela on turf over the distance of six and a half furlongs.
The experienced gelding was in top form that day as he downed Excessive Passion and Ain’t No Other, who finished second and third respectively, while the winner completed the six and a half furlong distance in 1 minute and 11.91 seconds.
Caracortado on the other hand has had a slightly better season than California Flag and he has gone to race more than California Flag.
He started off well in the 2011 season, with a win in the season opener and a second place in the next race. He wilted in the middle of the season where he finished off the board twice, but he quickly put it together and turned in some impressive performance
in the later part of the season.
Prior to the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap, Caracortado finished second in the Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park and then finished third in the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes over at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar.
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