Page 150 - December 2016

Merced Gómez Orozco Classic
ATOUCHE
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Eduardo Silveyra
The fourth edition of the stakes in honor of Don Merced Gomez Orozco was held Oct. 23 at the Hipodromo de las Americas at a dis- tance of 400 yards. Eight three year and older starters were enrolled by paying the respective fee, which brought the purse to $242,600 pesos (approximately $13,047 US).
The return of the horse Atouche was a source of great interest among the fans, as this 5 year old had made only 9 starts and was coming back to the track after fulfilling his first official season of stud services. We had not see him at the track since Dec. 13, 2015, when he finished 6th in the Champion of Champions Classic, but was promoted to 4th after a disqualification.
In the paddocks prior to the Merced Gómez Orozco Classic, the son of First Down Dash out of Itsmybag TB, displayed great class and preparation for this race, which many consider the prelude to the Champion of Champions Classic on Dec. 18. At the betting window, however, Atouche was the third best option to win with 3.70 odds.
The field took their positions and Atouche initiated his assault for first place under his reg- ular rider Eddi Cuéllar. Departing from posi- tion 1, they moved safely and quickly near the inner rail escorted by Master Time Dancer (#2), the only three year old in the field. Atouche and Master Time Dancer showed the way to the
rest of their competitors. In the end, it was an
unquestionable triumph for
Atouche, who adds a second
stakes win to his record
having previously won the
2013 Quarter Horse Juvenile Championship, a race with predominant participation of
horses imported from the United States.
The time of travel was :19.28 for a speed index of 102, and Atouche added $145,560 pesos (approximately $7,828 US) to his account. This was his second win, plus he has 2 seconds and 1 third. The horse is owned by Cuadra Chilano of the State of Jalisco. For this race he was saddled by former rider and now trainer Honorio Ramos López.
Representing the Gómez Orozco Family, the daughter of Don Merced, Adriana Gómez Barnola, as well as her children, José Julián and Adrián Gutiérrez Gómez, attended the awards.
With a difference of 3⁄4-lengths, Master Time Dancer (Masters Call - Dash For Time) was left with second place under Alejandro Gómez Diaz. The colt is owned by Ismael García Hernández and was saddled by Andrés Camilo Miranda Guerra.
Third place went to A Refarkable Perry (Mr Piloto - Dashing Little Reba), who won the Bank of America Challenge Championship of Mexico. He had José Ángel Ambrosio Medina aboard in this event. He is owned by Cuadra San Lázaro de Arará and was saddled
by Ubaldo García Padilla. The other participants
crossed the finish line in
the following order: Weee (Foose – Special Ela), Spit Curl Trey (Spit Curl Jess – Fast Prize Tracy), Apollitical
Knockout (Apollitical Jess – Adolph Tres Knockout), Special Jumpn Chic (Jumpn Chic – Agrouvateur) & Zoomin Jr (Jess Zoomin – Miss Jess Rouge).
MERCED GÓMEZ OROZCO
The Press Unit of the Hipódromo de las Américas released the following of the honoree. Don Merced Gómez Orozco was a man
of horsemanship for his outstanding presence in the breeding of the Quarter Horse, equally that of the work and race horse.
Don Merced left his mark through Cuadra Atotonilco, winning his debut race during the 1986 season at the Hipódromo de las Américas. He obtained victories in the Beduino IV Clasico and AMCM V Clasico in 1988, as well as in the Big Racket VIII Clasico in 1994.
In addition, he won the title of “Leader Cuadra Winner” for 4 consecutive years and received the same award by the American Quarter Horse Association in 1989. For this reason, this race is held in his honor, as Don Merced Gómez was a benchmark in the breed- ing and competition of the fast horse in Mexico.
Hipodromo de las Americas $13,047 • 400 yards :19.28 • si 102
Dash For Cash
First Down Dash
First Prize Rose
ATOUCHE, ‘11-h.
Bag
Itmybag TB
Avenger’s Bouquet
Julián Guitiérrez, Adriana Gómez, José Julián Gutiérrez, Adrián Gutiérrez, Eddi Cuéllar, Ma. Isabel Correa, Maximiliano Pérez and Honorio Ramos
148 SPEEDHORSE, December 2016
RACING NEWS
Luis Prieto Zamudio.