Caracortado on Derby trail after Santa Anita win

Published Feb. 13, 2010 10:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Caracortado emerged as a Kentucky Derby contender Saturday night with a victory over highly touted colts Tiz Chrome and American Lion in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita.

Trainer Bob Baffert's favored Tiz Chrome took the early lead in the field of five but weakened coming into the homestretch and gave way to a surging Caracortado, who cruised to a 1 3/4-length under jockey Paul Atkinson.

Unbeaten in his five career starts, Caracortado covered 1 1-16 miles in 1:41.75 and paid $11, $4.60 and $2.60. Dave in Dixie was second and paid $4.40 and $3. American Lion was third and paid $3. Tiz Chrome faded to fourth.