Big World Takes Tempted for 'Carlos'

Big World easily made the lead and kept it Nov. 4 in the $200,000 Tempted Stakes (gr. III) on opening day at Aqueduct Race Track, securing her first graded win for owner Maggi Moss and becoming the first stakes winner for her sire, Louisiana-based Custom for Carlos  .

Showing the way through an easy :24.05 first quarter and a half in :47.85 under jockey Jose Ortiz, the 2-year-old filly hit the top of the stretch full of run through three-quarters in 1:12.48, and held off the late charge of Flora Dora to finish a mile in 1:37.19 on a fast track. Banree, who chased the leader all the way around until the final sixteenth, finished third.

"It was a little weird," said Ortiz. "On paper, it looked like there was a little more speed in there, but my filly broke very well and I noticed it was going easy in front, so I took advantage of it... When I asked her to go, she responded very well. She's pretty good."

It was Big World's second win in a row for trainer Tony Dutrow, who stretched her out to seven furlongs Sept. 6 at Saratoga Race Course to break her maiden. 

"I didn't give Jose any instructions at all," Dutrow said. "I told him she's an easy ride and he would know what to do when the gates opened. I noticed the speed was looking at her and they were going soft, so he took advantage of it.

"I was very, very happy with the way she stretched out at Saratoga at seven-eighths of a mile against good company. Then, to come back today and stretch out to a mile, I have to be very happy with that."

Big World paid $10.40, $7.70, and $3.90 as the 4-1 third choice in a field of six. Flora Dora paid $13.20 and $6.10 while Banree brought $4. Completing the order of finish were Disco Rose, 4-5 favorite Welcoming, and Hi Holiday. 

Bred in Louisiana by Curt Leake & Elm Tree Farm out of the Broken Vow mare Tensas Wedding Joy, Big World was a $98,000 purchase from the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s 2014 August yearling sale when consigned by Summerfield and selected by Patrice Miller of EQB. Her record now stands at two wins and two thirds for earnings of $185,600. 

Custom for Carlos, a three-time grade III-winning son of More Than Ready  , stood in 2015 for $3,500 at Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana.