Page 206 - October 2023

RACING NEWS
HICLASS AND GRAND
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
This important race, a 440-yard challenge reserved for Quarter Horses three years old and older who were nominated for the AQHA Challenge Program, took place
on Aug. 13, to which five runners were registered to compete for a purse of $781,416 pesos ($45,065 U.S. approx.).
The standouts among the participants were: Nashville Cartel, winner of this classic in 2022; Hiclass And Grand, a winner and stakes placer; and Jess Three Candy, the only three year old in the group, who in his previous start won the Adequan Mexico Derby Challenge.
The result was definitive from the start, as Hiclass And Grand (#2) under the command of Alejandro Gómez Díaz, took the lead
with strength and authority and maintained throughout the event to cross the finish line 2 1/4-lengths ahead of Jess Three Candy (#3).
The time for the sorrel colt was :21.34 for a speed index of 104, the highest he has obtained in his three years of racing.
The award ceremony was directed by Adriana Gómez Barnola, Manager of the Mexican Association of Quarter Horse
Breeders and Horsemen, who presented the corresponding trophies and buckles to
the team from the Cuadra Santa Elena, headed by Alfredo Castro Rea Jr. and trainer Joaquín Ramón Peláez Cortes, who was accompanied by his family.
It should be noted that
Cuadra Santa Elena also
won this classic in 2022
with Nashville Cartel. In 2023, their victory in the Bank of America Mexico Challenge Championship was followed by another
win in race 9 with Cash Floow in the Jodys Glory Classic.
Hiclass And Grand is four years old and was bred in the United States by Harold Jeanotte. He is a son of FDD Going Grand and out of Hiclass Little Lily by Hiclass La Jolla. To date his record is 7-3-1 in 12 starts, and only once out of the money in the Javier Rosique Palavicini Classic where he finished in fourth place. His wins include the Juvenile
Championship, the Alfredo Castro Rea Derby and now the Bank of America Mexico Challenge Championship.
For this victory he added $406,336 pesos (approx. $23,434 U.S.) to his account, for a total of just over $1,475,000 pesos.
Owned by Rancho Las Gaviotas, three-year-old Jess Three Candy (Jess Good
Candy–Grade One Winner) placed second under jockey Heriberto Camacho Sotelo for trainer Alfredo Rabanal Salinas. It was a good result for competing against older horses.
One Famous Sunset (One Famous Eagle– Corona Fast Prize) placed third ridden by Miguel Ángel Rodríguez for Cuadra San Diego del Espejo and trainer Jorge Alberto Ruiz Peribán. The sorrel gelding just won his 350- yard maiden race on July 16, 2023.
The finish was completed with Nashville Cartel (Corona Cartel–Shazoomin Rose) and Tyler Durden (Volcom–Little Affection).
204 SPEEDHORSE October 2023
Hiclass And Grand and jockey Alejandro Gómez dominate in a wire-to-wire finish.
Bank of America Mexico Challenge Championship
Hipodromo de las Americas
$45,065 • 440 yards :21.34 • si 104
FDD Dynasty
FDD Going Grand
Cash Cartel
Hiclass And Grand, ‘19-c.
Hiclass La Jolla
Hiclass Little Lily
Newport Lily
Miguel Espinoza/Hipódromo de las Américas