Cazadero Clears Off In Bashford Manor

LOUISVILLE, KY – Stonestreet Stables homebred Cazadero cleared off in the stretch to win Saturday’s $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Breaking from post 6 as the 2/5 heavy favorite under Ricardo Santana, Jr., Cazadero sat in a clear stalking position down the backstretch while County Final posted quick opening fractions of 21.24 and :45.12.

After ranging up to meet the pacesetter’s eye in the far turn, Cazadero was perfectly positioned at the top of the stretch and began to kick away. Kept to task the length of the drive home, the Steve Asmussen trainee crossed a growing 4 3/4 lengths clear in a final time of 1:09.73 for the 6-furlong fast dirt sprint.

“He is an incredibly nice horse,” said Santana, Jr. “We sat in a really good spot today and (he) was very comfortable. He kept finding his stride throughout the stretch.”

County Final was no match for the winner but remained 1 3/4 lengths better than Herd Immunity in third. Hulen, Hyperfocus, Gatsby, and Crown and Coke completed the order of finish.

Cazadero’s win followed a similar maiden-breaking debut effort over the local strip on May 29. He is a 2-year-old son of Street Sense, the 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner.

“He’s been a very fast horse in his training and handled everything very well today,” Asmussen said.

Cazadero returned $2.80 to win, $2.40 to place, and $2.10 to show. County Final brought back $6.80 to place and $4.80 to show, while Herd Immunity paid $4.60 to show.