Lewis next test for Caracortado

Caracortado will make his graded stakes debut in the Grade 2, $150,000 Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 6, a race that could draw division leader Lookin at Lucky.

Caracortado extended his unbeaten streak to four with a win in last Saturday's $100,000 California Breeders' Champion Stakes at Santa Anita for statebreds.

"I'll have to try one of the bigger races," said trainer and co-owner Mike Machowsky.

The California Breeders' Champion Stakes over 1 1/16 miles was Caracortado's stakes debut, and first start around two turns. Ridden by Paul Atkinson, Caracortado stalked the pace, waited behind the pacesetters on the turn and kicked clear in the final furlong to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

"He flew home," Machowsky said. "He was bottled up. I told Paul before the race, 'Maybe you should wait a little longer.' "

Co-owned by Don Blahut, Caracortado has won four races, including a $40,000 claiming race for maidens over about a half-mile at Fairplex Park in September.