Page 192 - July_2023

RACING NEWS
Mexico Futurity Consolation
SPACE GHOST
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
The race for the Mexico Futurity Consolation was run by the horses that had the next ten fastest times after the finalists in the 250-yard qualifying trials held on April 15 and 16, 2023. Of the runners up, the best time was from the filly Kool Beduina with :13.194 obtained in trial three on the first day of competitions.
However, betting preferences favored the dapple colt Space Ghost, who closed with odds of 1.90 to win, which he delivered on by crossing the finish line in first place.
Although he did not have the most opportune start, Space Ghost immediately and firmly took the lead of the group and remained there, well led by his rider Aarón Adrián Gómez. The closest pursuer to him was Cortez Tac, which he outpaced by 3/4-lengths. The time was :13.27 for a speed index of 82, which was a better performance than Felina Eagle, who was the winner of the Mexico Futurity.
Space Ghost entered the winner’s circle
to applause, led by Daniel López. The award ceremony was led by Dr. Anselmo Aguilar Payán, Treasurer of the Mexican Association of Quarter Horse Breeders and Horsemen, A.C. (AMCCCCM), and Gerardo Orantes Coutiño, Eutiquio Velazco, Juan Ramón Nájera and Hugo
Estrada López, among others, were present on behalf of the Cuadra Santa Rosa Chiapas. Space Ghost is a gray
dapple colt bred by Mr.
Abelardo Gallegos Fernández
at his Rancho Los Potrillos
located in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, where the stallion Krash Cartel and the mare First Prize Girl (by Special First Prize) reside, who are the winner’s parents. The colt was presented at the 2022 Select Yearling Auction at the Hipodromo de Las Américas (Hip #560), where he received bids for $560,000 pesos (approximately $27,797 US).
Gerardo Orantes Coutiño informed us
that, although the colt races in the name of
his stable Santa Rosa Chiapas, this is due to
the partnership that exists with Mr. Eutiquio Velazco and Mr. Juan Ramón Nájera, who
are clients and friends with whom they have worked with a long time. “They acquired the colt at the Select Yearling Auction, and they gave us the confidence to race him in our name and that Marlon Abraham Quezada would take charge of training him (as well as Jhon Jhon Sr., finalist in the Mexico Futurity, which is from our upbringing). A gesture that we greatly
appreciate, with the hope of continuing to obtain good results. Officially the trainer is Hugo Estrada López, whom we also thank for saddling him.”
The colt debuted on March 26, winning his maiden over 220 yards.
In his next attempt he came in second over 250 yards, so his current record is 2-1-0 in three starts. The race had a purse of $373,233 pesos (approximately $20,512 US), of which $186,616 pesos (approximately $10,256 US) was credited to Space Ghost’s account.
In The Mexico Futurity Cortez Feisty (Cortez Cartel–Feisty Foose) finished in second place with Emmanuel Eduardo Méndez in the stirrups for Cuadra Serpino and trainer Rafael Rizo Ojeda. He was bred by Wilhelm Loewen and is the paternal brother of Cortez Tac, who also finished second in the final of this futurity consolation for the same connections.
Third place went to the filly O Shaz King (The Ocean King-Shaznasty) ridden by Huberclein Gómez Mendoza. She is owned
by Cuadra Coval Ranch, bred by Rancho Hacienda Santiago and was saddled by Liderme René Gómez Díaz.
190 SPEEDHORSE July 2023
Space Ghost and jockey Aarón Adrián Gómez win the $20,512 Mexico Futurity Consolation.
Hipodromo de las Americas
$20,512 • 250 yards :13.27 • si 82
Corona Cartel
Krash Cartel
Race Valentine
Space Ghost, ‘21-c.
Special First Prize
First Prize Girl
Harpers Wahini
Juan Carlos Velazquez/Hipodromo de las Americas