Clasico del Caribe
Encyclopedia
The traditional Clasico Internacional del Caribe or Caribbean Derby is the richest thoroughbred Grade I stakes race
in Latin America for three-year-old thoroughbred horse
s, held in Venezuela
for 2010, on the first Sunday in December. The current holder of the title is the Venezuelan bred Water Jet, also the Triple Crown holder for 2010 in his native country. The race features the best 3 year old colts and fillies from Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Along with the celebration of the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, four other international races are programmed during the weekend festivities. These races are the Copa Velocidad (Caribbean Sprint Cup) (6f), Dama del Caribe (Caribbean Ladies' Classic) (8.5f), The Invitational Cup (10f), and the Confraternity Cup (10f) for 3 & up horses. The latter event has been broadcast through ESPN
and its stations on a yearly basis since 2000, given its popularity throughout the racing industry. Together with other news reporters from Central, South and Latin America, ESPN
takes coverage of this breathtakingly emotional event throughout the United States, the Caribbean and all Latin America. The Serie Hípica del Caribe or Caribbean Series Championship has been so successful in the past years that the Confederación Hípica del Caribe and the horse racing authorities, together with tourism and economic government authorities in Puerto Rico, are working on expanding the number of races held in order to develop a Latin version of the Breeder's Cup.
Panamá is the country with most winning in this stake with 13 followed by Mexico and Venezuela with 9 and Puerto Rico with 8. Colombia and Dominican Republic has won the stake only once.
Three jockeys have won both the Kentucky Derby
and the Clasico Internacional del Caribe:
Gustavo Avila
is the only jockey
to win the Preakness Stakes
and the Caribbean Derby (Canonero II
and Victoreado (VEN)).
Three jockeys have won the Belmont Stakes
and the Caribbean Derby:
Mexico is the only country to win on three consecutive occasions (Guadamur - 1969, Hashin - 1970, Nacozareño - 1971).
On ten occasions a country has managed to finish in the top two positions: Mexico with Guadamur and Gumiel (1969), Voy por Uno and Barrullero (1976) and Ezgarta and Gran Zar (1978), Venezuela with Rayo Laser and Gallardete (1987), Aligheri and Jib Dancer (1997), Water Jet (VEN) and Gran Charlie (VEN), Panama with Cortisol and Gotti (1999), and Puerto Rico with Vuelve Candy B.
and Satin Charger (1991), Borrascoso and Shahid (2005), Soy Conquistador and Primero Nieto (2007). In 2009, for the first time officially two fillies occupied the top two positions: Bambera
(VEN) and Vivian Record (MEX). In 1996 two fillies Angelical (PAN) and La Supernova (PR) occupied the top two positions but the latter was disqualified to the 3rd position.
The longest gap between winners of one country: 14 years - Puerto Rico (Wiso G - 1968 to Guaybanex - 1982).
Pikotazo (MEX) is the only winner of the Clasico del Caribe to run in the US Triple Crown Race (Belmont Stake 1980) finishing 10th.
Verset Dancer(PR) was the first filly to win the Clasico del Caribe and established a track (El Comandante Race Track now Camarero) and stake record (1:50:1/5). The stake record was broken in 1986 by Benemérito (VEN) with 1:49:3/5 when the Clasico del Caribe was run in the Hipodromo Aguas Calientes in Mexico. Then in 1995 when the Clasico del Caribe was held in the Hipódromo V Centenario in Santo Domingo
, Dominican Republic
, Locochón (MEX)established a new stake record with 1:49:2/5. Verset Dancer's track record was broken by Soy Conquistador (PR) in 2007 (1:50.06) when he won the Clasico del Caribe.
Four more fillies beside Verset Dancer have won the Clasico del Caribe: Galilea (COL)(1984), Angelical (PAN) (1996), Alexia (PAN) (2001)and Bambera (VEN) (2009).
Verset Jet (PR), winner in 1993 is a product out of Verset Dancer (PR), winner in 1983.
Rosemary Homeister,Jr is the first(and so far only) female jockey to win the Clasico del Caribe.
Three Clasico del Caribe winners went to win the Copa Confraternidad (Confraternity Cup) 1993 Verset Jet (PR)(1994), 2000 My Own Business (VEN)(2002 and 2003) and 2007 Soy Conquistador (2009).
Winner in their native country.
A ‡ designates a filly
.
Panama
= 13 times
|
Mexico
= 10 times
|
Venezuela
= 10 times
|
Puerto Rico
= 8 times
|
Colombia
= 1 time
|
Dominican Republic
= 1 time
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
in Latin America for three-year-old thoroughbred horse
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s, held in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
for 2010, on the first Sunday in December. The current holder of the title is the Venezuelan bred Water Jet, also the Triple Crown holder for 2010 in his native country. The race features the best 3 year old colts and fillies from Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Along with the celebration of the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, four other international races are programmed during the weekend festivities. These races are the Copa Velocidad (Caribbean Sprint Cup) (6f), Dama del Caribe (Caribbean Ladies' Classic) (8.5f), The Invitational Cup (10f), and the Confraternity Cup (10f) for 3 & up horses. The latter event has been broadcast through ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and its stations on a yearly basis since 2000, given its popularity throughout the racing industry. Together with other news reporters from Central, South and Latin America, ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
takes coverage of this breathtakingly emotional event throughout the United States, the Caribbean and all Latin America. The Serie Hípica del Caribe or Caribbean Series Championship has been so successful in the past years that the Confederación Hípica del Caribe and the horse racing authorities, together with tourism and economic government authorities in Puerto Rico, are working on expanding the number of races held in order to develop a Latin version of the Breeder's Cup.
History
The Clasico Internacional del Caribe occurred after thirteen years of arduous work. Engineer Ramón Llobet Jr and Lic. Abelardo Ruiz Suria, among other distinguished Puerto Rican horsemen, created the event in 1966. This derby was designed in order to strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood between the Countries of the Caribbean. To be eligible to run in the Clasico a thoroughbred must be bred in one of the confederation member nations.Panamá is the country with most winning in this stake with 13 followed by Mexico and Venezuela with 9 and Puerto Rico with 8. Colombia and Dominican Republic has won the stake only once.
Three jockeys have won both the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
and the Clasico Internacional del Caribe:
- Gustavo AvilaGustavo AvilaGustavo Ávila is a retired jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is best known as the jockey who rode Canonero II to victory in the 1971 American Classic Races, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.-References:...
(Canonero IICanonero IICanonero II , was a Venezuelan champion thoroughbred race horse.Bred by Edward B. Benjamin in Greensboro, North Carolina, the bay colt was born with a noticeably crooked foreleg, and as such was considered to have no future in racing. He was sold as a yearling for a mere $1,200 at the Keeneland...
and Victoreado (VEN)) - Jacinto VasquezJacinto VásquezJacinto Vásquez is a retired Hall of Fame thoroughbred jockey. He rode two Kentucky Derby winners, Foolish Pleasure in 1975 and Genuine Risk in 1980, but may be best known as the regular jockey for the great filly Ruffian.-Biography:...
(Genuine RiskGenuine RiskGenuine Risk was a chestnut mare who won the 1980 Kentucky Derby and was the first filly to ever finish in the money in all three U.S. Triple Crown races. Ridden by Jacinto Vasquez, she finished second in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes...
, and Barremina (PAN)) - Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. is a flat racing's all-time winningest jockey. He competed primarily in the United States.-Career:...
(SwaleSwale (horse)Swale was an American thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for winning the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1984...
and Pikotazo (MEX))
Gustavo Avila
Gustavo Avila
Gustavo Ávila is a retired jockey in Thoroughbred horse racing. He is best known as the jockey who rode Canonero II to victory in the 1971 American Classic Races, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.-References:...
is the only jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
to win the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
and the Caribbean Derby (Canonero II
Canonero II
Canonero II , was a Venezuelan champion thoroughbred race horse.Bred by Edward B. Benjamin in Greensboro, North Carolina, the bay colt was born with a noticeably crooked foreleg, and as such was considered to have no future in racing. He was sold as a yearling for a mere $1,200 at the Keeneland...
and Victoreado (VEN)).
Three jockeys have won the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
and the Caribbean Derby:
- Ruben Hernandez (CoastalCoastal (horse)Coastal was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. He was sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Majestic Prince out of the mare, Alluvial, who was in turn was sired by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame stallion, Buckpasser. He was a half-brother, thru Alluvial, to Slew o' Gold.Owned by William...
and Ezgarta (MEX)) - Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Pincay, Jr.Laffit Alejandro Pincay, Jr. is a flat racing's all-time winningest jockey. He competed primarily in the United States.-Career:...
(Conquistador CieloConquistador CieloConquistador Cielo was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Purchased as a yearling for $150,000 by Henryk de Kwiatkowski, he was trained by Woody Stephens. Racing as a two-year-old, Conquistador Cielo won two races in his four starts...
, SwaleSwale (horse)Swale was an American thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for winning the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes in 1984...
, CaveatCaveat (horse)Caveat was an American thoroughbred stallion racehorse. Bred in Maryland) by Ryehill Farm, he was sired by Kentucky Derby winner Cannonade out of The Axe II mare, Cold Hearted...
and Pikotazo (MEX)) - Fernando JaraFernando JaraFernando Jara is thoroughbred horse racing jockey in the United States. Aboard Jazil he won the 2006 Belmont Stakes...
(JazilJazilJazil is an American Thoroughbred racehorse.In 2006, Jazil dead-heated for fourth place in the Kentucky Derby but then won the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown.- Connections :...
and Ay Papá (PAN))
Mexico is the only country to win on three consecutive occasions (Guadamur - 1969, Hashin - 1970, Nacozareño - 1971).
On ten occasions a country has managed to finish in the top two positions: Mexico with Guadamur and Gumiel (1969), Voy por Uno and Barrullero (1976) and Ezgarta and Gran Zar (1978), Venezuela with Rayo Laser and Gallardete (1987), Aligheri and Jib Dancer (1997), Water Jet (VEN) and Gran Charlie (VEN), Panama with Cortisol and Gotti (1999), and Puerto Rico with Vuelve Candy B.
Vuelve Candy B.
Vuelve Candy B was arguably one of the most popular champions in Puerto Rican Thoroughbred racing. The grey colt won the Puerto Rican triple crown in 1991 and the Clasico del Caribe that same year...
and Satin Charger (1991), Borrascoso and Shahid (2005), Soy Conquistador and Primero Nieto (2007). In 2009, for the first time officially two fillies occupied the top two positions: Bambera
Bambera (horse)
Bambera is a champion Thoroughbred racehorse. She is trained by Gustavo Delgado for her owners, Gregorio Castro and Raúl Fraga, who race under the name, Paula C Stable.- Breeding and Pedigree :...
(VEN) and Vivian Record (MEX). In 1996 two fillies Angelical (PAN) and La Supernova (PR) occupied the top two positions but the latter was disqualified to the 3rd position.
The longest gap between winners of one country: 14 years - Puerto Rico (Wiso G - 1968 to Guaybanex - 1982).
Pikotazo (MEX) is the only winner of the Clasico del Caribe to run in the US Triple Crown Race (Belmont Stake 1980) finishing 10th.
Verset Dancer(PR) was the first filly to win the Clasico del Caribe and established a track (El Comandante Race Track now Camarero) and stake record (1:50:1/5). The stake record was broken in 1986 by Benemérito (VEN) with 1:49:3/5 when the Clasico del Caribe was run in the Hipodromo Aguas Calientes in Mexico. Then in 1995 when the Clasico del Caribe was held in the Hipódromo V Centenario in Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
, Locochón (MEX)established a new stake record with 1:49:2/5. Verset Dancer's track record was broken by Soy Conquistador (PR) in 2007 (1:50.06) when he won the Clasico del Caribe.
Four more fillies beside Verset Dancer have won the Clasico del Caribe: Galilea (COL)(1984), Angelical (PAN) (1996), Alexia (PAN) (2001)and Bambera (VEN) (2009).
Verset Jet (PR), winner in 1993 is a product out of Verset Dancer (PR), winner in 1983.
Rosemary Homeister,Jr is the first(and so far only) female jockey to win the Clasico del Caribe.
Three Clasico del Caribe winners went to win the Copa Confraternidad (Confraternity Cup) 1993 Verset Jet (PR)(1994), 2000 My Own Business (VEN)(2002 and 2003) and 2007 Soy Conquistador (2009).
Winners of the Clasico Internacional del Caribe
A † designates a Triple CrownTriple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
Winner in their native country.
A ‡ designates a filly
Filly
A filly is a young female horse too young to be called a mare. There are several specific definitions in use.*In most cases filly is a female horse under the age of four years old....
.
Winners by Country
PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
= 13 times
|
MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
= 10 times
|
VenezuelaVenezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
= 10 times
|
Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
= 8 times
|
ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
= 1 time
|
Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
= 1 time