Page 230 - Speedhorse February 2020

RACING NEWS
Champion of Champions Classic
JRS CORONAS SHADOW
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
The closing race of the 2019 season at the Hipodromo de las Américas was the traditional Champion of Champions Classic, reserved for runners three years or older whose owners paid $50,000 pesos (approx. US $2,597) to nominate and register them.
Ten individuals met this condition and a purse of $591,000 pesos (approx. $30,697 US) was collected, played out at 440 yards.
The favorite of the fans was the gelding JRS Corona Shadow, closing with odds of
2.05 to win, a preference that was valid when he crossed the finish line 1 1/4-lengths in front of Chics Love Curls (#1A, gate 10), being unaf- fected by the incidents that occurred during the race. Once having dominated the mare Litely Political, he took the lead of the group and was left without a rival for the remainder of the race.
He was ridden by Yair Daniel Báez Soto, who culminated a great season as part of the team of Cuadra Los Gavilanes. Their time was :21.03, for a 107 speed index.
Bred in the United States by Julien Stevens III, the 5-year-old gelding by Coronas Leaving You is out of Shadow Of Colors by Dashing Val. JRS Corona Shadow debuted on Sept. 8, 2019, winning at the Hipodromo de las Americas. This classic is his fourth consecutive victory in Mexico,
and ninth of his career, which places him among some of the equine athletes to follow closely in the 2020 season since he has responded excellently to his trainer Rubén Romo García.
Of his achievements
in the United States, JRS
Corona Shadow was first in
the Delta Downs Louisiana
Bred Derby-G3, second in
the Open Me A Corona
Stakes-G2, Mardi Grass
Derby and Vinton Stakes. The gelding was also third in the Vals Fortune Stakes-G2.
For his triumph in the Champion of Champions Classic, he added earnings of $270,500 pesos (approx. US $14,050), totaling $4,767,195 pesos (approx. US $254,243).
It is fair to mention the results of Cuadra Los Gavilanes of the closing season, winning eight classics in different categories, and six of them with horses of their own upbringing – the Mexico Derby (LA Rapid Dove); Garañones Derby (LA Rapid King Judea); Bank Of America Championship Challenge of Mexico, Anselmo Aguilar Classic, Javier Rosique Palavicini Classic and Salvador Oñate Classic
(Lafishingonabugsmoon, a 6-year-old gelding who set three New Track Records
for 300, 350 and 440 yards); Gabriel Cue Sacre Classic (Hiclass Patriot), and now
the Champion of Champions Classic (JRS Corona Shadow).
“I feel very satisfied and grateful for this year’s achievements as a breeder and owner of Cuadra Los Gavilanes. As a team, we are
preparing to stay at this level of competition in 2020, aware that we must constantly improve to attain this,” said Ramiro Gonzalez Ozuna.
Always giving his all in his performances, Chics Love Curls (Spit Curl Jess-First Prize Chics) closed in second place and was ridden by Eddi Cuellar. The colt is owned by Cuadra Díaz de León and trained by Saúl Pérez Robredo.
In third place concluded the 3-year-old filly WL Shez To Fantastic (Fantastic Corona Jr-Shez Quick To Ramble) with her rider Francisco Rubio for Cuadra Baldeli and trainer Ismael Ayala Salas.
Also in the running: Litely Political (Apollitical Jess–Strobe Lite), Exquisite Stride (Carters Cartel– Tinys Lil Jess), Gulf Coast Streaker (Rock Solid
Hipodromo de las Americas $30,697 • 440 yards :21.03 • si 107
Corona Cartel
Coronas Leaving You
Lil Bit Rusty
JRS CORONAS SHADOW, ‘14-g.
Dashing Val
Shadow Of Colors
Ms Larkin Ease
228 SPEEDHORSE, February 2020
JRS Coronas Shadow and jockey Yair Daniel Báez Soto win the Champion of Champions Classic by 1 1/4-lengths.
Miguel Angel Espinoza/Hipodromo de las Americas