Page 218 - April_2023

RACING NEWS
Velocidad Classic
DIVAS FIRST JET
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translated by Speedhorse
This event is the only stakes for four-year- olds and older over the short 250-yard distance, with a total prize of $367,300 pesos (approximately $19,912). The race took place on March 5, and was not without surprises since the winner - of Mexican breeding - comfortably dominated a competitive batch of runners, six of them from the United States, including several winners of stakes races.
It was also in this brilliant classic that Allens Cash set the current World Record for 250 yards in :12.58 on March 4, 2012. And for this reason, every year in the 11 races that have been run since then, the fans look forward to the result.
Speedn Eagle (#1) was the fastest of the group and for a few moments took the lead until Divas First Jet (#2) gained momentum and speed to catch up and overtake him. Meanwhile on the outside the chestnut filly Dancing Perry Doll (#3) tried unsuccessfully to catch up with the two leaders.
At the end of the course, Divas First Jet stood out as the winner, leading by a little more than a length over Speedn Eagle, who was a nose ahead of Dancing Perry Doll.
Huverclein Gómez was the rider responsible for directing the winner, crossing the finish line in :12.84 for a 100 speed index.
Upon returning, rider and horse were joyfully received by Mauro Alberto Lainez Angles, owner of Cuadra Los Sementales. Once the official verdict had
been declared, he led them to the winner’s circle accompanied by Raúl González Osorio, where they received the trophies from Adriana Gómez Barnola, Executive Director of the Mexican Association of Quarter Horse Breeders and Horsemen.
Divas First Jet has been a consistent runner in his performances. Although this is the first stakes that he has won, he had already placed second in the Enrique Carrión Classic and in the Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic, both in his three-year- old season, and he immediately opened 2023 with this resounding victory where he closed at odds of 14 to 1 to win. As of today, his record is 5-4-1 in 13 starts, with earnings of $601,711 pesos.
Divas First Jet is a black gelding, which comes from the cross of Divas First Down with the mare Eyes Tricky Too by Mr Eye Opener. He was bred in Mexico by Zamarrero Ranch Inc., and was saddled by trainer Alfonso Arturo Loza.
The performance of the jockey Huverclein Gómez, a young native of Villaflores, Chiapas,
in southeast Mexico, where he started riding at the age of 12 in match races, stands out. After several years in this field, he began riding at the Hipodromo de las Américas thanks to the support of trainer René Moreno, where he won his first race in 2019 with the filly Sassa Corona (by Southern Corona). On Nov. 13, 2022, he rode in
the Alfonso Patiño Martínez – Aceves Classic on the bay colt Adivino Corona (by Corona On The Rocks). And now at 22 years old, he clearly is the victor in the Velocidad Classic for the second time in his career.
Regarding Divas First Jet, Gómez commented, “The horse ran at a distance where he has performed well (250 yards). Now he was a little late at the start, but despite the fact that they crowded him a bit, I spoke to him and he left very quickly. At mid- distance he was already dominating the competitive group. I’ve ridden him in his two previous starts, where he placed second to stakes winners Speedn Eagle and Lafishingonabugsmoon.”
Trainer Raúl González Osorio is responsible for the conditioning of Divas First Jet. He said that he has known the horse since he was young when he was acquired directly from Arturo Olvera Bernal, who consigned him to the Select Auction (Lot #46), which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Since his debut, he was a very good colt with
a lot of character. Now at four years old, we hope he will have a good season since he is healthy. I
am very grateful to my father (Miguel González Bernardino) for having passed on to his three children what we know about training Quarter Horses. In the same way, my gratitude goes to Don Mauro Alberto for trusting in my work, and to Eduardo Martínez and Antonio Ceballos, who are also a fundamental part of the team,” said Raúl, 26, a native of Martínez de La Torre, Veracruz.
Second place went to the sorrel Speedn Eagle (Jabuti Eagle SA–Speednchico) led by Martín Hernández Bautista. He is the property of the Cartas Blancas stable, is trained by José Eduardo Baltazar Carmona and was bred by Salomé Gallegos. A week before, Speedn Eagle won the Francisco Pasquel Classic at 110 yards.
In third place was Dancing Perry Doll (Mr Jess Perry–Imdancinwiththestars) directed by José Manuel Cisneros for trainer Saúl Perez Robredo and owner Cuadra Valeria. She was bred in the United States by Grant Farms LLC.
Followed by Cartel Sixes (Corona Cartel– Eye For The Sixes), BR Favorito Cartel (Favorite Cartel–Hawk Kue Pie), Makit Snappi
Divas First Jet & jockey Huverclein Gomez win the $19,912 Velocidad Classic.
216 SPEEDHORSE April 2023
Hipodromo de las Americas
$19,912 • 250 yards :12.84 • si 100
First Down Dash
Divas First Down
Really A Diva
Divas First Jet, ’19, g.
Mr Eye Opener
Eyes Tricky Too
Ground Effects
Miguel A. Espinoza/Hipódromo de Las Américas