Page 200 - July 2022
P. 200
RACING NEWS
Garañones Derby
TEXANA CARTEL
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
In the four trials to the Garanones Derby held on May 29, 36 Mexican-bred horses participated
to obtain the ten fastest times and the right to
participate in the final two weeks later.
The “battle” against the clock was constant
and when it seemed that Texana Cartel would set the best qualifying time with :17.219, BR Sueno imposed :17.216, that is .003 hundredths faster for the 350 yards.
Texana Cartel returned to the track after winning the Subasta Selecta Futurity on September 12, 2021, and before that the Garañones Futurity, winning four of her
six outings and earning the title of AQHA Mexican Champion of that racing season.
However, on the day of the final, the betting favorite was Rey Alfredo with an impressive record that in the current season includes victories in the Mexican Bred Derby Challenge and Mexico Derby, leaving the aforementioned filly as the second favorite to win.
Since La Chamulita (for Cuadra Baldeli)
and Divas First Tex (for Cuadra Zamarrero)
were scratched, the final was run with eight contenders, which were enough to provide a great show. After a clean start for the group, Texana
Cartel assumed command
of the field in the center of
the track, but moments later CC Upper Cartel imposed its speed, while on the outside Rey Alfredo also exerted pressure.
It was in the final yards
that the filly responded to the
demands of her jockey Yair
Daniel Báez to cross the finish line a neck over her nearby rival CC Upper Cartel, also setting a time of :17.15 for a 92 speed index.
After the race, a strong storm of rain and hail fell, which barely allowed for the winner’s circle photo to be taken.
The total purse assigned to the race was $1,185,410 pesos (approx. $58,862 U.S.) to be distributed in decreasing percentages among the finalists according to their finish position. Texana Cartel’s account was boosted with $497,872 pesos (approx. $24,722 U.S.), which corresponds to 42% of the aforementioned total and brings her total earnings to more than 4.9 million pesos, maintaining her record at 8-6-2-0.
The Champion was bred by Cuadra La Presita, which is the home of her sire Danny
Cartel and dam La Texana Tree (by Oak Tree Special) and she is the property of Rancho El Suspiro. She is usually trained by José Guadalupe García, but is officially represented by trainer Nahum de Jesús Lagunes Montero.
CC Upper Cartel (Danny Cartel-Upper First) placed second under the
command of Aaron Adrian Gomez. He is owned by Cuadra Sajoma and was saddled by trainer Gerardo Rafael Galán Pérez. He was bred by Alejandro Domínguez Márquez.
Rey Alfredo (Fearless Fritz-Proud Corrina, Corona Cartel) finished in third place under José Ángel Ambrosio Medina. He is owned by Cuadra Baldeli, trained by Nahum de Jesús Lagunes Montero and bred by Rachuán Suárez. This is just the runner’s second loss in 13 starts.
SE Cartel Wine (Cartel Success-Wine Down), BR Ficha (Southern Corona-BR Heza First), Zamuray Cartel (Danny Cartel-First To Be
Late), Ride Eagle Ride (Jabuti Eagle SA-Bullet Ride) and BR Sueno (Southern Corona-Ruanna Bodanna) completed the order of finish.
198 SPEEDHORSE July 2022
True to form, Texana Cartel snatched up the $58,862 Garañones Derby in the final yards.
Hipodromo de las Americas
$58,862 • 350 yards :17.15 • si 92
Corona Cartel
Danny Cartel
Takin Some Gold
TEXANA CARTEL, ‘19-f.
Oak Tree Special
La Texana Tree
Paint Me Golden
Miguel A. Espinoza/Hipódromo de Las Américas