Page 156 - November 2016

Dr. Anselmo Aguilar Payan Selecta Auction Futurity
VALENTINO MYSTERY
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
The qualification stage for the final and consolation of this traditional futurity was held on Sept. 3-4. There were 20 races on fast track to obtain the 10 finalists and the others entitled to the consolation prize from a total of 166 two year olds, the highest number of participants in this race so far. All of them were presented at the Selecta Auction in
2015, with their respective owners paying the participation fee, bringing a total purse for the Futurity and the Consoltion to $5,934,100 pesos (approximately $302,809 US).
On Sept. 25, the Futurity finalists returned to the Hipodromo de las Americas, consisting of eight males and two females, all with their teams and the goal of winning the futurity with more prestige for Quarter Horses. The prepara- tion of the horses and the mood of their connec- tions reflected the importance of the goal.
The most requested for the win at the box office was the grey Senor Mario (at odds of 2.20), followed by Soliat (3.90), and AG Navigating Streak (5.20), which had the best qualifying time.
Each took their gate of departure. “All ready,” said the announcer and they left immediately after the opening of the 10 doors. Sea Chico (#1) had the best start and took
the opportunity to take charge under the
wise guidance of international rider Rodrigo Vallejo. On his right side, Charly Cartel (#4) closely followed his stride. While at center
of the track, Valentino Mystery (#7) settled fast in the wet sand to contest the lead. The gelding had no difficulty to achieve his goal, as Alejandro Gomez rode him very well, and he dominated the rest and held off the onslaught of Soliat (#8) on its right flank.
In :17.78 seconds for an 82 speed index over a muddy track we saw the feat accomplished by the black gelding, who on July 17 scored in the Stallion Futurity, being the of best of 200 colts and fillies. Then in the Stallion Futurity he was ridden by jockey Alberto Ceron. Now in the Selecta Auction Futurity he was under the guidance of Alejandro Gomez, the same rider who directed him in his qualifying race and who has mounted him more than once in his still brief racing career.
The whole team was present at the award ceremony, including followers of Cuadra Arenas, headed by Alejandro Arenas and his family, and trainer Jacobo Dominguez Tellez. A special guest was Dr. Anselmo Aguilar Payan, in recognition of his career as breeder
since his Cuadra La Presita produced Senor Cawboy, winner of the same futurity in 2015.
Very happy with the
result, Alejandro Arenas -
breeder and owner of the
winner - confessed to having
suffered anxiety against the
uncertainty of the rating
in the qualifiers, “But, we
did it and the horse showed
today that he can deal with
big commitments because all finalists are first league. Valentino has a lot of heart and is backed by an entire team.” Valentino Mystery finished with the seventh fastest qualifying time (:17.434 over a fast track), winning his trial.
Jacobo Dominguez, trainer of Valentino Mystery, thanked God for the victory and stressed that the horse answered to all the care and prepa- ration that has been given to him since his start as as a runner, including in this great moment.
Valentino Mystery (Mr Queens Mystery - Valentina High, by Brimmerton) is the second to win two of the futurities restricted to auctioned Mexican horses. Before him - in
2004 - the filly Speed First (Ought To Be First - Sweet Speed, the Son of Steel), bred and owned by Cuadra Anjor, accomplished the same feat.
At the auction in 2015, Valentino Mystery had the tag 215 and sold at $150,000 pesos (approximately $8,865 US), being repurchased by Alejandro Arenas for his ranch. The gelding debuted on April 23, finishing second,
but was promoted to first by disqualification of Queen Six. On May 15, he won the Primer Premio of the Mexico Futurity. On June 25, he qualified for the Stallion Futurity with the seventh fastest time, winning the correspond- ing finals. His current record, with the wins from the qualifying and finals in the Selecta Auction Futurity, is 5 - 1 - 0 in 6 starts at the track.
With this record, Valentino Mystery is positioned as the undisputed candidate for the top honors of the 2016 season, such as: AQHA Mexican Champion, Mexican Champion Two Year Old, Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding, and, most likely Horse of the Year in Mexico,
Hipodromo de las Americas $227,399 • 350 yards :17.78 • si 82
Shazoom
Mr Queens Mystery
First Place Queen
VALENTINO MYSTERY, ‘14-g.
Brimmerton
Valentina High
Valentine High
154 SPEEDHORSE, November 2016
Valentino Mystery & Alejandro Gomez win over a muddy track
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