Cazadero put in a sweeping last-to-first rally down the center of the turf course on his way to claiming victory in the G2 Nearctic Stakes by two-and-a-quarter lengths at Woodbine on Saturday, 8 October.
The four-year-old Street Sense gelding was notching his first Stakes win of the season, and the biggest one of his career so far. As a juvenile, Cazadero won the G3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs when trained by Steve Asmussen.
Cazadero broke alertly and was settled at the rear of the field as Into the Sunrise and Ice Chocolat battled for the lead. That pair set swift fractions on the front end as the field entered the far turn. Cazadero began picking off foes one by one on the far turn before swinging wide and into the clear at the top of the stretch. Set down for the drive by jockey Patrick Husbands, Cazadero showed an impressive turn of foot as he rocketed from last-to-first in the final sixteenth of a mile to claim the victory.
Cazadero was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC and is out of the mare Wild Gams, winner of the G3 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes. Wild Gams, who is a full sister to Stakes winner Diamond Wildcat, has also produced Stakes winner Mt. Brave and G3-placed Almost Famous.
In addition to Cazadero, Street Sense is the sire of Speaker’s Corner, winner of three Graded Stakes this year, including a dominating five-length victory in the G1 Carter Handicap. Additional Stakes winners include Australia Mia, winner of the G2 Clasico Carlos Campino in Chile, three-time Stakes winner Home Brew, Heaven Street (Listed Columbia Stakes), Whelen Springs and Hollis.
