Caracortado Heads Competitive Kilroe

Caracortado, the California-bred gelding whose rags-to-riches story led to a shot on last year's Triple Crown trail, has moved to the turf where he is one of the favorites for the March 5 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT).

Trained by his co-owner and breeder, Mike Machowsky, the 4-year-old’s half-length victory Jan. 29 in the Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita put the son of Cat Dreams   on the turf circuit. His wins last year included the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) on Santa Anita's former synthetic track last winter.

“I’d say he’s more effective on grass, probably because of his turn of foot, the way he accelerates,” Machowsky said.

His rider, Joe Talamo, is more emphatic. “He’s a freak on turf and has such a tremendous turn of foot,” he said.