Page 176 - January 2021

RACING NEWS
Select Auction Derby
HOT DRAGON
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
On Nov. 22nd, the qualifying races to the final of the most important Derby for Quarter Horse racers were held at the
Hipodromo de las Americas. The Derby is reserved for horses that were presented at the 2018 Select Auction, paid the eligibil- ity fees for the respective futurity, as well as this derby. The purse was 1,642,800 pesos (approximately $82,178 US).
Among the finalists, Hot Dragon stood
out with the fastest qualifying time of :19.356, placing as the favorite to win the final on Dec. 6. Only eight horses were presented before the withdrawal of RG Onchao A King and Corona Sola, who qualified with the fifth and sixth fastest times, respectively. Three of these final- ists belong to Rancho El Suspiro.
Once the necessary formalities were com- pleted, they took their starting positions. From the start, it was a clean race where everyone showed their skills freely. From the first yards, Hot Dragon began to dominate, being opposed by Rex Sambaso and Chispita Two. It was a matter of him setting the pace
so that he could take full command of
the race until he crossed the finish line with a long lead over Malefico Cartel, who, true to his style, sought the outer rail, without his rider -Yair Daniel
Baez- being able to
control him properly.
Hot Dragon stopped the clock at :19.25 for a 101 speed index, well assisted by young jockey Aarón Adrián Gómez.
Raised and owned by Rancho 21 Partnership, Hot Dragon is by Zulu Dragon and out of Marjale Goes Hot, by Corona Caliente. He quali-
fied to the final winning by 2 3/4-lengths in the first of the four qualifying heats, also under jockey Aarón Adrián Gómez.
He is trained by former rider Ismael Parra Martínez, at the Hipodromo de las Americas, but for this derby he was saddled by Liderme René Gómez Díaz.
With this victory Hot Dragon’s record is 4-1-1 in nine outs at the track, and he adds earnings of $689,976 pesos ($34,515 US approximately). Previously, on March 8,
2020, he placed second in the Derby Desafio Crianza Mexicana.
When he passed through the Selected Auction ring, Hot Dragon was bid at $430,000 pesos ($22,046 US), being among the top 20 that reached the best price. He was repurchased by its consignor, and now it is seen that it was
a good decision, especially because Zulu Dragon is in service at the 21 Partnership Ranch itself, accrediting the breeding of this one.
Malefico Cartel (Danny Cartel-La Chuchena) closed in second place, ridden by Yair Daniel Baez for owner Rancho El Suspiro and trainer Ismael Ayala Salas.
174 SPEEDHORSE January 2021
Hot Dragon and jockey Aaron Adrián Gómez win the Select Auction Derby.
Hipodromo de las Americas
$82,178 • 400 yards :19.25 • si 101
First Down Dash
Zulu Dragon
Hidden Dragon
HOT DRAGON, ‘17-g. Corona Caliente
Marjale Goes Hot
Lady Marjale
Miguel Angel Espinoza Espinosa