Sicotico wins Clasico del Caribe

By Carlos Peña-Rivera
Special to ESPN.com
Updated: December 7, 2008, 8:43 PM ET

For more than forty years, the Dominican Republic had been participating in the Clasico del Caribe (Caribbean Derby) without any luck. But this year, Sicotico and Joel Rosario changed all of that when they won the $300,000 in dramatic fashion. The final time for the 1 1/8 race was 1:52:54 over a muddy track.

"This is unbelievable and I'm so happy right now that I can barely speech," said a very emotional Rosario wiping off some tears from his eyes. "All the connections of this horse are people so dear to me. They all helped me out when I started to ride back home, I mean, I don't know how to express what I am feeling right now."

Rosario, who on Saturday had won five races at Hollywood, has quickly becoming one of the young stars in the Southern California circuit where he has been riding with great success during this year. He had traveled all night in order to ride in the race for horses bred in the countries belonging to the Caribbean Horse Racing Confederation.

"I had made a commitment to ride this horse and there was no way I was not going to be present today," added Rosario. "This is a matter of pride and gratefulness. Winning this race for the first time for my country and my fellow country men has made all the sacrifice worth. I'm tire but extremely happy and proud." Puerto Rico's Defensora, the favorite of the race, had taken command of the race with three furlongs left and it looked like she had the race won when alone came Sicotico with a furious rally in the last 50 meters to win the race by a 1 1/2 lengths. Cristal de Oro, also from Puerto Rico caught Defensora as well who ended up finishing third another half-length behind.

Eugenio Deschamps, trainer of Sicotico was also extremely pleased with the outcome of the race. "Joel rode and unbelievable race. He is the main reason why we are celebrating this great victory today."

"The horse had been training great for the race," added Deschamps. "I knew we had an excellent chance to win but history has always been against us in these races. There is no question that this is the most memorable victory of my career."

Sicotioco was bred by Dr. Angel B. Contreras and is a son of Blueformer out of Lump of Joy by Lombardi. He has won 17 out 18 races and increased his earnings to over $214,000, including the Triple Crown in his native country.

Contreras, who was present at the race, couldn't hide his emotions either. "It has been a long journey for our breeding industry after many years of sacrifice and a lot of perseverance we have finally come through," he said. "We are no longer the ugly duck of this series and we have a lot of faith that we will continue to improve and that this won't be our last victory in this type of races."

The other stake race of Sunday's card was won by Venezuela's South Handyman when he easily scored by 6 ¼ lengths in the $50,000 Clasico Copa International (International Cup S.).

The Southern Halo horse out of Hansa Toss (Arg) established a new track record for the 1 1/4 mile distanced with a final time of 2:01:83.

After the race, winning trainer Antonio Catanese said "this horse came from Argentine and it took a while for him to get back in shape and to get used to his new surroundings. He was training great coming into this race and I was expecting a big race out of him and he didn't disappoint us."

On Saturday, and also as part of the Caribbean Serie, Taconeo (Venezuela) kept his position next to the rail throughout the entire race to win the $100,000 Clasico Copa Confraternidad (Confraternity Cup). Ridden by Santiago Gonzalez, the winner finished 1 ¼ mile race in 2:03:97.

This way, the son of Water Poet (Ire) out of Alondra Belle (Ven) by Burkaan, avenged his defeat in last year Clasico del Caribe won by Soy Conquistador.

"That was the plan for the race, to keep the inside position and save ground," said winning trainer Gustavo Delgado. "Santiago did a great job and kept his composure even when he was on tight spot around the last turn and that made the difference."

Puerto Rico's Fraterno and last year Clasico del Caribe winner Soy Conquistador finished second and third 3 ½ lengths and a neck behind respectively.

Earlier that afternoon Panama's Yeka I. was declared the winner of the $60,000 Dama del Caribe Stakes, after the original winner, Puerto Rico's Mi Adrianita was disqualified and place in the third position for interfering in the stretch with Grigora (Panama). The final time for 1 1/16 three year-old fillies race was 1:47:57.

"You never want to win like this, but I take it ," said winning trainer Felix Rodriguez-Mafia. I feel sorry for the connections of the other filly but that's the way horse racing is sometimes."

Mi Adrianita had taken command of the race with three furlongs to go and was furiously trying to hold off Grigora when she interfered with her at the final furlong pole. Mi Adrianita barely held off Yeka I. by a head, who came from last and was flying at the end.

Yeka I. is by Prouth Truth out of Miss Onga (Pan) by Screen King, and won her fifth race of the year in eight races and increased her earnings to over $85,000.

Two-times Eclipse award winner rider John Velazquez masterfully rode Venezuela's King Seraf to an easy 4 ½ lengths win in the Clasico Copa Velocidad (Sprint Cup S.). The final time for the six furlong race was 1:10:17.

"This horse was much the best today," said Velazquez after the race. "I just waited until the right moment to make my move with 400 meters left and he responded great and I knew then I had the race won."

King Seraf is three-year old son of Water Poet (Ire) out of the mare Amandina Lady (Ven) by Slew Prince.

All three stakes races were for horses bred in countries belonging to the Caribbean Horse Racing Confederation.

The jockey challenge was won by Orlando Mojica, who is from Puerto Rico is currently riding in the United States, and who had been participating as a special guest. Mojica cumulated 18 points after four races to defeat Panama's Luis Arango by only two points.

As part of the celebration of the event, retired jockeys Carlos Lopez, Gustavo Avila, and Hall of Famer Angel T. Cordero, Jr. were present during the award ceremony.

Lopez won the Clasico del Caribe in 1968 with Puerto Rico's Wiso G. and successfully rode for many years in the U.S. Avila was the jockey aboard Canonero II when in 1972 he won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness S. Avila also won the first edition of the Clasico del Caribe in 1966 with Venezuela's Victoreado.