A Show of Strength by Pico Central

Pico Central proved his win at 43-1 in the San Carlos Handicap last month at Santa Anita was no fluke.

The 5-year-old, Brazilian-bred led nearly all the way Saturday to win the $350,000 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct.

Trained by Paulo Lobo for owner Gary Tanaka, Pico Central, the 4-1 second choice in the Grade I, was headed by 9-10 favorite Strong Hope in the stretch but found more under jockey Alex Solis and pulled away slightly at the wire.

In winning for the seventh time in 11 starts, the son of 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck completed the seven furlongs in 1:20.22, not far off the track record of 1:20.04 set by Artax on May 2, 1999.

“I was a little concerned when I saw Strong Hope coming at him,” Lobo said. “But my horse is a strong fighter. I’m not really surprised with how he’s run since we got him.”

Strong Hope, who was beaten for only the third time in nine starts, finished two lengths in front of 26-1 outsider Eye Of The Tiger, who was making his first appearance for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Well Fancied, the 9-2 third choice, finished eighth.

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A return to the turf was all Toasted needed to turn things around.

Eighth of nine in his U.S. and main track debut in the San Felipe Stakes on March 14, the 3-year-old Hennessy colt won for the third time in five starts on the grass, scoring an upset at 25-1 in the $110,500 La Puente Stakes at Santa Anita.

Trained by Laura de Seroux for owner Sid Port, Toasted rallied between horses in mid-stretch and went on to beat 2-1 second choice Erewhon by 1 1/4 lengths in a stakes record 1:34.18 for the mile.

The victory was the second of the year for De Seroux and only the third for jockey Goncalino Almeida.

“He’s got a dirt pedigree, but he’s a turf horse,” De Seroux said. “We’ll stay on the grass with him. We have every option there is on the grass because I think he’s top class.”

Terroplane, the 2-1 favorite who was making his first start since finishing fourth in the Generous on Nov. 29 at Hollywood Park, finished fourth under rider Kent Desormeaux.