ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Caracortado staged a dramatic late rally after trailing by 15 lengths at the half-mile pole to win the $100,000 Daytona Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Rafael Bejarano never used his whip to drive Caracortado to victory on the far outside. The 5-year-old California-bred gelding ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.59 and paid $5.80 and $3.60.
Victory Pete returned $6.80.
There was no show wagering after the field was reduced to five starters with the late scratch of Silver Summation. He reared and unseated jockey Garrett Gomez leaving the paddock. Gomez was taken to the hospital complaining of pain in his left heel. Mr Gruff, the 19-10 favorite, was another half-length back in third in a dead-heat with Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready.
