Cariba Captures Caress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Cheyenne Stables’ Cariba rallied late to capture her stakes debut in Saturday’s $200,000 Caress Stakes at Saratoga.

Cariba was sent from post 9 at 4/1 odds under Irad Ortiz, Jr., and sat into a close stalking position in fourth. Up front, Jakarta set a relatively tepid early pace, posting opening fractions of :22.10 and :44.63 while Introduced gave closest chase.

Tipped out four-wide at the top of the stretch, Cariba rallied alongside Sweet Bye and Bye and took the lead near the 1/16 pole. Though Jakarta and Sweet Bye and Bye fought gamely, Cariba split the pair and crossed the wire in front by a 1/2-length.

The Christophe Clement trainee completed the 5 1/2-furlong firm outer turf sprint in a final time of 1:01.53.

“I got a perfect trip,” said Ortiz, Jr. “I just followed the instructions. (Clement) told me to be third or fourth and don’t be too far. The horse put me right there, and when I tipped her out in the stretch, she had something left and finished up very well. She ran really good.”

Jakarta headed Sweet Bye and Bye for second. Introduced, the 9/5 favorite Dalika, I’llhandalthecash, Miss Gossip, Mother Mother, Getmotherarose, and Saratoga Treasure completed the order of finish.

Cariba’s win was her second straight following an allowance score at Belmont Park on June 28 and improved her record to 8-3-3-0. The 4-year-old Cairo Prince filly has now earned $216,750.

“I thought there was two or three speeds and I didn’t think we could be in the first two,” Clement said. “I said to be aggressive and get a position, third or fourth, because we had a bad draw and you don’t want to be caught in the back in traffic and everything. He gave her a perfect trip. It’s always nice when it works out.”

Cariba returned $10.40 to win, $5.70 to place, and $4.10 to show. Jakarta brought back $10 to place and $6.90 to show, while Sweet Bye and Bye paid $6.90 to show.