Running his last quarter in a blazing 22 seconds flat, 7-5 favored Caracortado and jockey Joe Talamo forged to the front in the final
stride to nose out talented three-year-old Mr. Commons in the featured
Grade II $200,000 Del Mar Mile Saturday before 17,305 fans.
Caracortado, a California-bred four-year-old son of Cat Dreams,
scored his first victory since last January when he won the Sunshine
Millions Turf at Santa Anita as he prevailed in a blanket finish. Less
than a length separated the first four horses as Mr. Commons was a
half-lengths in front of third-place Calimonco with Victory Pete only
another head back in fourth place in the field of six horses.
Completing the field were Champ Pegasus and Our Nautique.
Caracortado, owned by Blahut Racing, LLC and Lo Hi Racing, respective
stable names of partners Don Blahut of Newhall, California and trainer
Mike Machowsky, ran the mile over the infield Jimmy Durante Turf Course
in 1:34.24 and returned $4.80, $2.60 and $2.40. It was the chestnut
gelding’s eighth win in 17 starts and first prize of $120,000 increased
his earnings to $774,105.
Mr. Commons, who was piloted by Mike Smith, paid $3.60 and $3, while
Calimonco returned $4 to show. Mr. Commons won the Oceanside Stakes in
his previous start and was a well-backed 5-2 in the Del Mar Mile.
With the victory on Caracortado, his 35th of the season, Talamo was able to hold onto his single-winner lead over Joel Rosario, who also had one victory today.
With a carryover of $110,856 from Friday and $813,729 wagered
Saturday for a total pool of $924,585, there were two winning tickets
Saturday and each was worth $272,775.