SOY CONQUISTADOR
Hipodromo Camarero photo
by Carlos Pena-Rivera

Puerto Rican-bred Soy Conquistador took advantage of a fast pace to win the 40th edition of the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe (Caribbean Derby) by five lengths on Sunday at Hipodromo Camarero in Puerto Rico.

The Sweetsouthernsaint colt saved ground under jockey Hector Berrios-Torres as Sambuca (Ven) and Matty Alou (Dom) dueled for the lead in the 1 1/8-mile race for horses bred in countries belonging to the Caribbean Horse Racing Confederation. Soy Conquistador seized command with three furlongs left and drove clear to prevail in 1:50.06.

“When I saw the horses up front going fast I decided to stay calm, and then when a hole opened in the inside I decided to make my move,” Berrios-Torres said. “This victory is for Puerto Rico”.

Bred by Juan Luna, Soy Conquistador is out of the Valid Appeal mare Beth’s Appeal. Trained by Maximo Gomez for owner Establo Edelsam, Soy Conquistador has won seven of 18 starts in two seasons.

“This horse was suffering from ulcers during the summer, and we decided to rest him,” Gomez said. “We gave him enough time to heal and, for this being just his second race back after the lay off, it has even surprised us how well he raced. I firmly believe he is going to get even better.”

Puerto Rico’s Primero Nieto rallied from off the pace to finish second followed by Sambuca in third. Soy Conquistador is the ninth Puerto Rican-based horse to win the Caribbean’s most prestigious and richest race.

In the other stakes race on Sunday’s card, Cornelio Velasquez patiently rode Dicky’s Cat to a three-length score in the $50,000 Copa Internacional (International Cup).

The 1 1/4-mile race was for horses bred anywhere but the countries belonging to the Caribbean Horse Racing Confederation. Velasquez rallied Dicky’s Cat from off the pace to win in 2:02:80. Dicky’s Cat is trained by Luis Paz-Rodriguez for owner Cat Power Stable.

“I couldn’t make it yesterday for the Jockey Challenge due to some commitments I had, but I really wanted to come and ride today for the connections of the horse,” Velasquez said. “They are people I have known for a very long time, back to when I started riding in my dear Panama. Winning for any of them is always a great pleasure.”

Carlos Pena-Rivera is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer