Cazadero was last at the top of the stretch before flying past the field to win the $250,000 Nearctic S. (G2) by 2 ¼-lengths on the Woodbine turf course on Saturday afternoon.
A recent grad of the 2022 Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age sale, Cazadero sold for $50,000, where he was consigned by Eaton Sales on behalf of Stonestreet Stables. The 4-year-old was bought by Fergus Galvin, agent for owner Marc Detampel.
Cazadero was taken back to last by jockey Patrick Husbands, and he trailed the field for the first half-mile. Husbands took his mount to the middle of the course at the top of the stretch, and he rocketed past the entire field to win going away.
The final time of 1:09.11 for the six furlongs was good for a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“I just looked at the form and saw that this is the second time he’s gone on the turf,” said Husbands. “In the last race, he came off the pace, flying. I just tried to ride him back the same way.”
A winner of the Bashford Manor S. (G3) as a 2-year-old, Cazadero is 4-2-1 in 10 starts and has earned $264,905.