Carlos L. Wires Temperence Hill

HOT SPRINGS, AR – Good Friends II’s Carlos L. made every step of the marathon 1 1/2-mile distance a winning one as he posted a 47/1 upset in Saturday’s $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Carlos L. exited post 5 under Alex Canchari and went straight to the lead, creating a multiple-length advantage as Plainsman chased closest of all.

Plainsman and Lone Rock made 2- and 3-wide bids near the 1/4 pole, and though Plainsman soon folded, Lone Rock persisted with harassing the pacesetter.

Canchari’s mid-race decision to slow down Carlos L. (who didn’t run a 1/4-mile faster than 25 seconds after the opening 1/2-mile) proved to be correct, as the Mac Robertson trainee held on gamely to win by a pair of necks over Lone Rock and a late-running Tenfold, the 5/2 favorite.

The final time of 2:29.87 was a new track record.

Treasure Trove, Campaign, Plainsman, You’re to Blame, and Split the Wickets completed the order of finish.

Coal Truth and Muralist scratched.

Carlos L.’s win was his second in his past 3 starts and improved his overall record to 16-7-2-2 with $262,999 earned. The 5-year-old intact son of Hold Me Back began his career in Panama, where he was a Group 1 winner in his final start before coming stateside in October 2019.

Carlos L. returned $97.40 to win, $31 to place, and $12 to show. Lone Rock brought back $7 to place and $4.40 to show. Tenfold paid $3.40 to show.