Carotari burnishes horse-for-course credentials in Janus Stakes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Carotari once again showed his fondness for the Gulfstream Park turf course, winning over it for the fourth time in five tries on Friday in the $100,000 Janus Stakes.
Carotari led most of the way in the about five-furlong turf race for 3-year-olds and up, and held safe Extravagant Kid to register a 1 3/4-length decision in the first of three grass stakes here Friday.
With Luis Saez aboard, Carotari stalked then readily disposed of early leader Breakthrough after an opening quarter-mile, shook loose when sharply roused nearing midstretch, and was never seriously threatened while under strong handling to the end.
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Extravagant Kid, winner of the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March and making his first start since finishing ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, raced well placed in midpack, moved within easy striking distance upon settling into the stretch, but could not make up ground on the winner through the final furlong. Smokin’ Jay rallied mildly for third.
Carotari added the Janus to victories here in both the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Silks Run Stakes. A 5-year-old son of Artie Schiller trained by Brian Lynch for owner William Branch, Carotari closed out the 2021 campaign with three victories in eight starts and earnings of more than $240,000.
Carotari completed the about five furlongs over the firm course in 55.78 seconds, adjusted by the track clocker from the originally posting clocking of 59.07. He paid $4.
“It’s good to get him back down here,” Lynch said. “It’s a track he really seems to do well over during the winter. It’s nice to get him back rolling. He came out of a good race at Keeneland. This was an ideal distance for him, ideal timing, so it’s just neat to have him back on track. Now we’ve got a loaded horse for the winter down here. I think as he’s gotten older he’s getting better and better. I think this year coming up could be his best year. We’re pretty excited about him.”