A graded stakes winner last season, CUSTOM FOR CARLOS was away in good order and took up a stalking position in second, sitting just off the leader's flank down the backstretch. Staying out in the three path, he he launched his bid around the final turn and the lead was his at the top of the stretch. Setting sail for home, he had challengers inside and outside, but he was not going to let anyone get by. He outran them all and hit the wire three-quarters of a length best.

“He trained well for the race and we were expecting him to run well, but he had never even breezed on a sloppy track like this, so you just don’t know how they will handle it," said winning conditioner Eddie Kenneally. "I don’t know that he particularly liked it or not, but he’s a class horse and got it done. We have no specific plans at this point. One option we will consider will be the race in Dubai ($2 million Golden Shaheen (G1) on Mar. 27). We won the Mr. Prospector a couple of years ago (2007) with Kelly’s Landing and two races later he won the Golden Shaheen. But the difference now is that they will be running on the new track (Tapeta synthetic at Meydan) and he’s (Custom for Carlos) never run on one (synthetic), but that is one possible option.”

“He broke well and had a nice and easy trip," added jockey Julien Leparoux. "He was always relaxed and we got a good path on the outside. I was a little surprised that the nine-horse (Presto Change O) wasn’t in front, but that was good for us as I sat just behind (jockey) Edgar (Prado, on Past the Point), relaxed, and my horse continued on very strong to the finish. We couldn’t have asked for better.”

CUSTOM FOR CARLOS races for Homewrecker Racing LLC and Avalon Farm. He was won or placed in eight of his eleven career starts and he has earned $350,630. Bred in Kentucky by David E. Hager, II, he was produced by the Meadowlake mare, Meadow Oaks.

Adam Coglianese photo