Page 160 - June 2017

Mexico Derby
SOLIAT
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
The Mexico Derby is the first big clasico
of the season, and is exclusive to three- year-old runners born in Mexico who have passed through the 2015 Selecta Auction of the Hipodromo de las Américas and paid the corresponding eligibility fees. The qualifying races for the finals were made on April 16 at
a distance of 300 yards with the participation of 54 individuals. The 10 fastest returned to the track two weeks later for the final test, with a purse of $888,000 pesos (approximately $46,573 US).
The top list of finalists was occupied by Soliat with :14.999, La Loca Danny at :15.025., and Valentino Mystery at :15.094, position that were reflected in the betting preferences of the numerous fans who witnessed the race in a festive and cordial atmosphere.
Soon horses and riders were put up and placed behind the gates to take the assigned exit positions. Outstanding in the field was the double participation of Cuadra Arenas and Rancho El Suspiro, with runners of proven ability led by experienced jockeys.
The gates were opened and the only error was of El Senior Chickuma (#5) that drifted out in the first jumps and impacting Takin Cartel (#2A), who in turn leaned on Danny Latina (#6). Attached to the inner rail, Valentino Mystery (#1) deployed all his power and immediately achieved his goal of lead- ing the group. Meanwhile in the center of the track, Soliat (#2) responded effectively to the demands of his helmsman Eddi Cuellar. They advanced quickly and soon reached the finish line, with Soliat to the front separated by little margin over Valentino Mystery. They felt the efforts of SF Assault Be Champ (#8) in the final yards, but remained firm in place.
As a result of the race review, the steward- ess disqualified El Senior Chickuma from fifth to ninth. The race results were officially announced with an official time of :14.90, for a speed Index of 108. The clocing was a New Track Record, leaving behind the :14.95 established on May 24, 2015 by the two-year- old colt BP Apolliticalpolicy.
Soliat is one of the five finalists in the Mexico Derby who is a progeny of Danny Cartel. His dam is Toles, who is by Ought
To Be First. All of them were bred in Cuadra La Presita, in addition to the aforementioned El Senior Chickuma. That is, 60% of the finalists were produced in a single farm and 50% are progeny of the same stallion - figures
that show the national importance of Dr. Anselmo Aguilar’s breeding.
A similar precedent
occurred in 2004 when
the Cuadra Anhor quali-
fied seven of its breeding to the finale of the Selecta Auction Futurity, winning with Speed First, arriving in second with Creek First and in third with Go First Swinger. Those seven finalists were the product of three of their stallions.
Soliat has in his record remarkable ancestry that back up his triumph in the Mexico Derby. At two years of age, he won the consolation of the Garañones Futurity, and finished second
in the Auction Selecta Futurity to Valentino Mystery, whom he defeated in this race. Soliat closed his first season winning the Mexican Breeders Futurity. In 10 races, he has seven first and two second places, with earnings greater than 2.1 million pesos.
Soliat is owned by Rancho El Suspiro and this time was saddled by trainer Antonio León Ramos, although his preparation is the direct responsibility of the experienced Jose Guadalupe Garcia, “Lupillo”.
Valentino Mystery (Mr Queens Mystery - Valentina High) finished in second with
a notable time of :14.92 (a career-high 107 speed index) at the winner’s neck. He was ridden by Moisés González García and is
owned by Cuadra Arenas, where he is trained by Jacobo Domínguez Téllez. His breeder is Alejandro Arenas Badillo.
The filly The SF Assault Be Champ captured third place in a formi-
dable close under the guidance of Alejandro Gómez for Cuadra El Renacimiento and trainer Victor Hugo Ramírez Moreno. She was bred by Héctor Roldán Arreola.
The other participants concluded as fol- lows: La Loca Danny (Danny Cartel-Flyin
N Coastin), Chay Danny Danny Cartel- Consistently), Danny Latina (Danny Cartel– Latina Sheeza), PB La Preciosa (Jess Call Me Doc–Blushing Aces), Takin Cartel (Danny Cartel–Takin Cash SLC), El Senior Chickuma (Senior Solo–To Chickuma), & J Quick (Jess The Man – Quick Ta Shine).
EN ESPAÑOL
Este es el primer clásico grande de la tem- porada. Está exclusivo para corredores de tres años nacidos en México, que hayan pasado por la subasta selecta 2015 del Hipódromo de Las Américas y pagado las cuotas de elegibilidad correspondientes. Las carreras de calificación a la final se realizaron el 16 de abril en distan- cia de 300 yardas con la participación de 54 ejemplares; de ellas se obtuvieron los 10 más rápidos, mismos que regresaron a la pista dos
Hipodromo de las Americas $46,573 • 300 yards :14.90 • si 108 • Ntr
Corona Cartel
Danny Cartel
Takin Some Gold
SOLIAT, ‘14-g.
Ought To Be First
Toles
Check Your Choice
158 SPEEDHORSE, June 2017
Soliat (#2) battles with Valentino Mystery (inside) for the win and a New Track Record at 300 yards
RACING NEWS
Miguel A. Espinoza / Hipódromo de Las Américas