Promising Cazadero draws off in stretch to win Bashford Manor

Stonestreet Stable's homebred Cazadero improved to 2-for-2 as the heavy odds-on favorite when putting away pacesetter County Final in mid-stretch and drawing off to win the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. 

With Ricardo Santana Jr. in the irons, Cazadero raced off the rail a few lengths back of County Final as that colt ushered the field through  fractions of :21.24 and :45.12 for the opening half mile. Cazadero steadily made up ground on the turn and drew to even terms with County Final at the top of the stretch, but it wasn't until reaching the eighth pole that Cazadero began to inch away before crossing the wire 4 and 3/4 lengths in front. 

County Final gamely held for second ahead of Herd Immunity with Hulen completing the superfecta. Cazadero completed six furlongs in 1:09.73 and paid $2.80. 

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

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