ARCADIA, Calif. (Oct. 9, 2008) – Winless in two starts since a hard-charging second at 42-1 odds to Johnny Eves in the Grade I Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita last December, Carrilero returned from a six-month layoff Thursday to mow down five rivals in Oak Tree’s $50,400 optional claiming feature at 6 ½ furlongs over Santa Anita’s downhill turf course.

With Jose Valdivia Jr. maintaining a clear path on the extreme outside, the Argentine-bred rallied from last to defeat Australian-bred Easy On The Eye by 1 ¼ lengths. Wiredfortwotwenty, the 7-5 favorite, settled for third, another half-length back, after gaining a one-length lead at the head of the stretch. The winning time was 1:12.85.

Trained by Mike Puype for Gary Tanaka, Carrilero was sent off as the 5-2 second choice and returned $7.40, $5.60 and $3.20. Easy On The Eye, with Aaron Gryder aboard, paid $13 and $5. The show price on Wiredfortwotwenty, seeking his third straight win with Joseph Talamo aloft, was $2.60.

Carrilero, a 4-year-old son of Royal Academy, raced only once in his native Argentina, breaking his maiden in March of 2007. Purchased by Tanaka, he won his second start in the United States with a furious rally in an allowance event over Santa Anita’s downhill turf layout. Two races later, he closed fastest in the Malibu to miss recording an enormous upset by one length.

He then went to the sidelines for over two months, but was ineffective in two subsequent starts before going on the shelf again. His effort on Thursday demonstrated that he clearly had benefited from his most recent respite.

The winning purse of $30,000 elevated Carrilero’s career earnings to $134,042 from an overall record of 3-1-0 in eight races.

Oak Tree racing continues on Friday with an eight-race card that opens at 1 p.m.