Locally-based Indiano, last year’s champion 2-year-old in Panama, earned his first graded stakes victory in the United States with a decisive win in the $200,000 Carry Back (gr. II) (VIDEO) July 9 at Calder Casino & Race Course.
The 3-year-old son of Indian Charlie sat a stalking third for a half-mile before taking over from the pacesetters at the quarter-pole and bounded away for a three-length score. He covered six furlongs in 1:10.60 on the good dirt.
Indiano is owned by his breeder, Diamond A Racing and trained by Marty Wolfson. Bred in Kentucky and out of the Sam M. Chilean-bred mare Separata, the bay colt was originally a $25,000 Keeneland September 2009 yearling purchase consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
He first raced for Stud El Aguila, going a perfect 4-for-4 in Panama in 2010 en route to his championship honors. Indiano won his 2011 debut in Panama before being shipped to Wolfson this winter. He was second in his first two stateside starts, including the April 3 Swale (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
In his fourth U.S. start, Indiano won the June 11 Unbridled Stakes at Calder by 4 1/4 lengths. The Carry Back was his first start for Diamond A Racing.
Bulaga set the pace in the Carry Back, taking the field of five through opening splits of :21.94 and :45.58. Longshot Silver Cloud was right on his heels, with Indiano sitting in a perfect stalking position. Cal Nation and Smash trailed the field.
It was just beyond the quarter-pole that Indiano came up to challenge the two pacesetters and he easily went by them both while opening up a three-length advantage at the top of the stretch. He drew clear under Saez for his first graded stakes victory.
Smash rallied from last to get second under Mike Smith, one length in front of Cal Nation, who was 11 3/4 lengths clear of Silver Cloud. Bulaga trailed.
Indiano improved to 7-2-0 from 10 starts and has now earned $240,366.
“I’m really pleased with him,” Wolfson said. “He’s muscled up and dappled out. I wasn’t really concerned about the track condition. He loves slop if it had stayed that way.
"The one time we tried him at a mile (fifth in grade III Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial), I don’t think it was the distance, but more that he just didn’t care for the track (Churchill Downs). I still think he’ll handle up to a one-turn mile. My only concern today was that Smash didn’t get the jump on him and that didn’t happen. I’ll probably take him to Saratoga for something next.”
Sent off as the 7-10 choice, Indiano paid $3.40 and $2.20. There was no show wagering. Smash returned $2.40 to place and filled out an $8 exacta (6-1). The trifecta (6-1-2) was worth $12.80.
One race earlier in the $150,000 Azalea (gr. III) (VIDEO) for 3-year-old fillies, Devilish Lady gamely held off White Merlot by a head to post a 9-1 upset.
It was the first graded win for the daughter of Sweetsouthernsaint and her eighth overall from 17 starts. The dark bay/brown filly is owned by Cairoli Racing Stable and trained by Antonio Sano.
Devilish Lady, who has earned $394,790, was bred in Florida by Lewis Family Stables Partnership and is out of the Diablo mare Devilish Brunette.
With Daniel Centeno aboard, Devilish Lady stalked Just Louise through an opening quarter-mile in :22.59 before taking over midway on the turn. After running a half-mile in :46.13, she put away Just Louise at the top of the stretch but had to hold off an inside rally by White Merlot, who came charging up the fence under Juan Leyva. Devilish Lady was all out to hold off her rival, crossing the wire in 1:11.70 for six furlongs on the good dirt. My Pal Chrisy was third at 49-1. Odds-on- favorite May Day Rose was fourth in a field of six.
Devilish Lady, based at Calder with Sano, won for the third time in eight starts this season. Sano claimed the filly for his cousin, Domingo Spadaro, for $16,000 in September 2010.
“I have a lot of faith in this filly,” Sano said. “I knew this was a difficult race today, but I know she is of the same quality of these fillies (in this race). Her last race wasn’t really her distance (one mile) and she wasn’t in top condition like she is today. I’ll keep her going short, no longer than seven furlongs. “
Devilish Lady paid $21.40, $9.20, and $7.20. The exacta (1-4) returned $142, and the trifecta (1-4-2) was $1,165.