Page 62 - 2 November 2012

MEXICO
The Triple Crown of Match Racing Futurities
by Luis Prieto Zamudio • translation by Eduardo Silveyra
For 28 years, the Hermosillo Racetrack has organized one of the most important match racing futurities in Mexico.
In my first collaborations for Speedhorse’s Around The Globe column, published on June 22 and July 6, 2012, I discussed match racing in Mexico.
I discussed the new Triple Crown of Match Racing Futurities, which was held at the Hermosillo Racetrack, in the state of Sonora; a racing facility not recognized officially by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA).
Besides showcasing its origin and results, I present an overview of the experiences that came from this first edition of the Triple Crown, with the coopera- tion of Mr. Braulio Garcia, General Manager of the Hermosillo Racetrack.
Origin
For 28 years, the Hermosillo Racetrack has organized one of the most important match racing futurities in Mexico. It is for colts and fillies born
in Mexico or abroad, with a registration certificate issued by the AQHA, who have paid registration fees and passed a dental inspection evidencing their age. The distance is 300 yards.
In October 2011, a notice was published adding two events: The Special Futurity at 220 yards, and the Select at 330. The idea was the result of work between managers of the Hermosillo Racetrack and the horse owners, seeking to offer more and better opportunities for 2-year-olds to compete.
The Special Futurity was conceived as a prepara- tory race for novice runners at 220 yards, in order
to allow them to adapt to the racing stage and be
in better condition for the trials to the Traditional Futurity. There would also be the chance to win more attractive purses, compared to those obtained in the usual match races.
In the words of Mr. Braulio Garcia: “We invite you—having paid the registration fee—to participate in an organized manner for a prize pool, running over a short distance, which serves as a preparation for the Traditional Futurity.”
For many reasons, some foals in this tournament concluded the tournament in inadequate conditions to continue on to the Traditional. Still, in 2012, it was run with 67 participants, the highest number of entries in nearly three decades.
Garcia continued: “The owners told us, ‘When you pass the Traditional Futurity the 2-year-olds have no where else to run,’ hence the idea of taking them to a third tournament, which is the Select, at 330 yards.”
Hipodromo de Hermosillo General Manager Braulio Garcia.
results
The trials and final of the Special Futurity took place on March 25 and April 15, respectively. A total of 41 individuals competed, of which the four fastest qualifying times moved on to the final.
The champion was El Micky (Mackies Wagon), a son of the stallion PYC Paint Your Wagon out of Deer Mackie, who covered the 220 yards in :11.89 ridden by Norberto Aceves for Racing Block Correhuela 1 and trainer Nolberto Arvayo.
The Traditional Futurity trials were held on May 13 and the final on June 3. There were 67 2-year-olds in the trials, from which a quintet of finalists were obtained. That number was reduced to four, however, due to the death of Fire Transformer (El Bellaco), just hours after qualifying.
In the end El Rayito (Corazon de Guerrero) emerged victorious with a winning time of :15.10. He is a colt bred in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico, by Simply Silver Sage out of the mare Hammer First. His rider was Fernando Martinez and he is owned by Racing Block Ave Fenix, where he is trained by Martin Casillas Gonzalez.
The Traditional Futurity was the final filter for prospects into the Select Futurity.
Only 15 horses made it to run in the trials on July 8, from which four finalists returned to the stage on July 22. The champion was La Adelita, a daughter of Feature Mr Jess and Corona Super, which recorded a time of :16.49 at 330 yards. She was ridden by international rider Alejandro Luna, and is trained by Christian Ivan Arvayo, for owners Racing Block Correhuela 2.
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SPEEDHORSE, November 2, 2012
AROUND THE GLOBE
David Johnson