Page 232 - Speedhorse February 2020

RACING NEWS
Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic
BLOODMOON GAROO AT
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
On Dec. 8, in the prelude to the end of the season, this race was run for Mexican- bred horses three years or older in honor of
horseman/breeder Héctor Roldán Espinosa. The founder of Rancho Santa Fe has contin- ued to appear in the Mexican equestrian scene through his children and grandchildren. Seven sprinters participated at 330 yards for a prize of $267,000 pesos (approx. US $13,688).
Seeking to “close with a flourish” and incidentally aim for a New Track Record,
the veteran Lafishingonabugsmoon, whose background unanimously positioned him as a wide favorite in the bets, closed with odds of 0.30 to win. The group seemed comfortable in winning the race without much pressure.
However, at the end of a clean competition from the start, it was the colt Bloodmoon Garoo AT (#7) who scored the victory by a neck over Lafishingonabugsmoon. Bloodmoon Garoo AT jockey Ángel Santillán knew how to guide him by the right bank of the group to close at full speed and conquer their first classic.
At the finish line, the stopwatch marked :16.33, equivalent to a 100 speed index, the best mark for the 3 year old that defends the colors of the Cuadra San Luis Aculco, where he
was bred by Adelfo Toledano Montero, who also owns the stallion Kangaroofirst and the mare Pistol Packn Mama (by Eyesa Special) – the dam and sire of Bloodmoon Garoo AT. In a duel of greys, youth prevailed over experience, concluding with three New Track Records: at 300, 350 and 440 yards achieved in classics of the current season.
In this way, Bloodmoon
Garoo AT won his fourth race. His first win was a maiden on May 20, 2018, where he finished second, but was promoted to first
by disqualification of RG Black Diamond. Two races later on July 8, he earned his next win from a total of 11 starts in his 2-year-old season, also managing to place twice in second and two times in third.
In 2019, he had less activity and only went to post six times, winning on Oct. 13 by 2 lengths, and now the Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic, plus another second on Oct. 27. In this fashion, his record today is 4-3-3 in 17 races, with earnings of $399,231 pesos.
For this commitment
he was saddled by trainer Fernando Figueroa Romero, who was present at the awards as part of the Cuadra San Luis Aculco team.
Héctor Roldán Arreola represented his late father at the awards ceremony.
Second place
went to the gelding Lafishingonabugsmoon (Nofishinonafullmoon-A
Special Ladybug), guided by rider Yair Daniel Báez Soto for owner Cuadra Los Gavilanes and trainer Rubén Romo García.
By the difference of a neck finished the filly Miss Okey Okey Qbrew (Quik Brew-Especially Okey) with Alejandro Gómez in the stirrups. The filly belongs to Cuadra Titanium and
her athletic preparation is the responsibility of trainer Rubén Romo Hernández.
Also having participated: Dancer Chimpa (Ze Dancer–Macumba Royal Hemp), Like Special (Special First Prize–Streakin Like Bugs), Takin Six Glory (Glory Six–Takin Care) and SE Teller Jolla (La Jollaroid–Tellem Jamie).
Hipodromo de las Americas $13,688 • 330 yards :16.33 • si 100
First Down Dash
Kangaroofirst
Flo Jetta
BLOODMOON GAROO AT, ‘16-c.
Eyesa Special
Pistol Packn Mama
Two Gun Marie
230 SPEEDHORSE, February 2020
Bloodmoon Garoo AT and Angel Santillán win the Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic by a neck.
Miguel Angel Espinoza/Hipodromo de las Americas