Cazadero Aims to Stay Perfect in Saratoga Special
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Photo: Coady Photography
Cazadero wins the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs
Stonestreet Stables' homebred Cazadero tops a field of exciting juvenile prospects in the $150,000 Saratoga Special Stakes Presented by Miller Lite (G2) Aug. 7 at Saratoga Race Course.
The six-furlong feature will be run Lasix-free. The New York Racing Association began a partial phaseout of the medication this year with all 2-year-old races prohibiting race-day Lasix, a diuretic used to control respiratory bleeding.
Cazadero heads into the Saratoga Special perfect in two starts. After winning by 8 3/4 lengths first time out going five furlongs May 29 at Churchill Downs, he stretched out a furlong at the same track to take the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) June 27. The son of Street Sense out of multiple graded stakes winner Wild Gams came from off the pace in third in his most recent effort and won by 4 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:09.73.
Video: Bashford Manor S. (G3)
Ricardo Santana Jr. retains the mount on Cazadero, who will break from post 6.
"It's nice to have a couple of races under his belt heading into a race like this at Saratoga," said Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. "He came in very well-respected and hasn't done anything wrong yet."
Asmussen also entered Kirk Robinson's Jackie's Warrior. The son of Maclean's Music won his debut June 19 at Churchill, where he ran five furlongs in :57.49 after fractions of :22 and :45.19. Joel Rosario will ride from post 10.
"It was a very impressive maiden special weight at Churchill. Fast times and talented horses as well," Blasi said. "With these babies you just have to get some experience in them and hope that they continue to move forward."
Coming back from that race is the runner-up and Stephen Fidel homebred Therideofalifetime, who next out broke his maiden at Keeneland July 11 for trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Correas. The Candy Ride colt zipped six furlongs in 1:09.81 to win by 8 1/4 lengths. He'll start from post 9 with Jose Ortiz up.
Ironhorse Racing Stables and Secure Investments' Momos, one the flashier 2-year-olds unveiled at the Saratoga meet, won at the Spa July 18 by 6 1/2 lengths when racing 5 1/2 furlongs. Manny Franco will ride the Distorted Humor colt trained by Christophe Clement from post 7.
"He's coming back a little quick with three weeks in between races. I could have trained for the (Runhappy) Hopeful (G1) going seven-eighths at the end of the meet, but this is the best of the choices, so to speak," Clement said. "I just would like to keep him going short in a stakes on dirt and this was the logical one. He seems to be very fast, so why change something that is working?"
Breeze Easy's Roderick, cross-entered in the Saratoga Special and the Aug. 8 Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, will scratch from the Saratoga Special and run at Del Mar, trainer Wesley Ward said.
Papetu, a winner of his two starts at Gulfstream Park; Hold the Salsa and Market Alert, debut winners against New York-breds; and winners Garopollo, Caramel Chip, and Pickin' Time complete the field.
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, August 07, 2020, Race 9Entries: Saratoga Special S. Presented by Miller Lite (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
Papetu (KY)
John R. Velazquez
120
Antonio Sano
-
2
Hold the Salsa (NY)
Dylan Davis
120
Richard J. Lugovich
-
3
Garoppolo (KY)
Luis Saez
120
Kelly J. Breen
-
4
Caramel Chip (KY)
Luis Cardenas
120
Jaime Mejia
-
5
Pickin' Time (NJ)
Javier Castellano
120
Kelly J. Breen
-
6
Cazadero (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
122
Steven M. Asmussen
-
7
Momos (KY)
Manuel Franco
120
Christophe Clement
-
8
Market Alert (NY)
Jose Lezcano
120
James T. Ryerson
-
9
Therideofalifetime (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
120
Ignacio Correas, IV
-
10
Jackie's Warrior (KY)
Joel Rosario
120
Steven M. Asmussen
-
11
Roderick (KY)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
120
Wesley A. Ward
-
