Caliente Operator Gets Fourth Consecutive Victory In G.C.F.A. Dutchman Stakes

FREDRICKSBURG, TX—AUGUST 23, 2024—Multiple stakes winner Caliente Operator picked up this fourth consecutive win in as many starts this season when he was a length victor in the $20,000 G.C.F.A. Dutchman Stakes at the Gillespie County Fairground today.

Caliente Operator had no troubles under jockey Eleazar Hernandez as he completed the 350 yards in 17.653 seconds, equaling a 96-speed index into an eight mph headwind. The $12,000 winner's purse boosted the son of multiple stakes sire Corona Caliente's earnings to $158,407.

Santiago Riojas, Jr. trains the Louisiana Bred 7-year-old for owner Jose Antonio De La Rosa. Bred by Ocie Lee Charles, Jr., from the Dashing Val mare A Dashing Operator, Caliente Operator won the Flying Breed Stakes at Delta Downs in his previous start.

Runner-up Cardiac, ridden by Victor Urieta, Jr., earned $4,000 for second. The stakes-placed son of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel bobbled the start for trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. Javier De Los Santos Muzquiz owns the Louisiana-bred earner of nearly $50,000. Bennie and Terri Jeter bred the gelding from the Executive Menace mare Executive Promises.

Work Ethic also bobbled the start under jockey Luis Vivanco, but still managed to finish a neck back in third for owner-trainer Viridiana Duran Villegas. Steve D. Burns, DVM, bred the Seperate Interest filly in California from the Freighttrain B mare Good Job Honey. The 4-year-old picked up $2,000 for the effort.

Lefty, Dm Frankie Blue Eyes, Zooming For Muddy, Darling Secret, and Gheto Cowboy completed the field.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted with this story when it becomes available from the track photographer.