Page 206 - December 2021

RACING NEWS
Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic
ESPEJO FUSILERO
by Luis Prieto Zamudio, translation by Speedhorse
Espejo Fusilero began the 2021 season on April 11, participating in the trial races of the Mexican Breeders Derby, where he
qualified to the consolation race, from which he was scratched. In his next outing, he qualified for the finals of the Mexico Derby, where he came in sixth place.
These results were far from what the horse showed in the brief 2020 season, when he only ran in three races, of which he won two, including the final of the Garañones Futurity, which allowed him to close with dividends close to 1.6 million pesos.
Fortunately, in the following season he obtained five consecutive victories which included the Garañones Derby and the Select Yearling Sale Derby, to which he qualified with the best times, closing on Dec. 5 with the Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic, to which we refer to in this report.
The race, at 330-yards, drew participants three years and older. Eight were registered, with a majority of them three years
old with five entries, including Espejo
Fusilero himself, who would have to face Lafishingonabugsmoon, the oldest of the group (eight years) and with a bulky and successful record. The race had a purse of $256,500 pesos ($11,924 U.S. approx.).
It was a good start for everyone, but in a few yards Yair Daniel Baez had to correct the trajectory of Lafishigonabugsmoon
(#5) to prevent him from
drifting inward, losing
valuable fractions of a
second. Espejo Fusilero (#3)
did the same and gradually
looked for the inside rail,
until nearing the finish line
when he made contact with
Apollo Fly Chantell (#1),
following his route until
finishing the distance with
a 1/2-length lead ahead of Lafishingonabugsmoon, in
:16.37 (SI 98).
The stewards rejected the protest against Espejo Fusilero and granted him the victory, going to the winner’s circle with his rider José Ángel Ambrosio Medina, where he
was received by the team of the Cuadra Cartas Blancas, as well as Roberto Roldán, special guest at the awards on behalf of his grandfather Don Héctor Roldán Espinosa.
Espejo Fusilero was bred by Javier Rosique León at his San Diego Del Espejo barn, in the State of Tabasco, located in
southeastern Mexico. He is the first son of stallion Carnegie Haul (by Corona Cartel)
and out of the mare Jess Blushing (by Feature Mr Jess). He was consigned to the 2019 Select Yearling Sale and was sold for $310,000 pesos ($15,350 U.S. approx.).
With this victory, Espejo Fusilero obtained his fourth stakes win and his profits are already approaching
3.1 million pesos to the satisfaction of his trainer José Eduardo Baltazar Carmona and the team and followers of the Cuadra
Cartas Blancas.
Undoubtedly, his performance will be
recognized in the titles awarded annually
by the Mexican Association of Breeders and Horsemen of Quarter Horses for having been the best Mexican bred three year old of 2021.
Lafishingonabugsmoon (Nofishinonafullmoon-A Special Ladybug, Mr Special Bug), finished in second place, well assisted by Yair Daniel Báez Soto. He is the property of the Cuadra Los Gavilanes, where Rubén Romo García trains him. It is
204 SPEEDHORSE December 2021
Espejo Fusilero winning the Héctor Roldán Espinosa Classic.
Hipodromo de las Americas
$11,924 • 330 yards :16.37 • si 98
Corona Cartel
Carnegie Haul
A Shot At Glory
ESPEJO FUSILERO, ‘18-g.
Feature Mr Jess
Jess Blushing
Blushing Lady Bug
Miguel A. Espinoza/Hipódromo de Las Américas