They claimed him; they made a bundle with him; then they lost him

When assessing all the bad luck horsemen often endure with their stables, it’s heartwarming to learn about the other side of the coin from time to time.

On Sept. 4, MCA Racing Stable claimed Carabinero out of his second race at Gulfstream Park – a winning effort – for a mere $12,500. The 3-year-old Neolithic gelding bred by Lott’s Creek Farm had been purchased at the OBS March sale for $55,000. After a third and another victory in his new barn, Carabinero was the recipient of an owner’s dream – six horses entered in a $34,620 starter allowance claimer, followed by three late scratches.

With only two others to concern him, Carabinero was sent off at 1/2 and easily lived up to the bettors’ confidence. With Angel Morales aboard, he went wire-to-wire, won by 3 1/2 lengths with six furlongs in 1:ll:99, and earned a check for $22,600. He’s now a formidable 3-0-1-1 in five starts with earnings of $70,820 and the owners of MCA Stable have collected $58,400 of that total. However, they lost Carabinero in a claim yesterday for $25,000, making his addition to their bank account a cool $83,400 with which they can search for another claim.

Carabinero began his career with a fourth-place finish and an Equibase ‘E’ speed figure of 59. That number increased in every race, winding up with a 77 yesterday.