Kukulkan stays perfect in Clasico del Caribe at Gulfstream Park
Mexican Triple Crown winner Kukulkan
powered home to win the $300,000 Clasico del Caribe at Gulfstream Park Saturday. The victory kept Kukulkan perfect
in 14 starts. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was aboard for the win.
"It’s great. I’m so happy to represent my country and Mexico too,” the jockey, a Puerto Rico native, said. "It’s a pleasure to ride these kind of horses."
The Clasico del Caribe, or Caribbean Classic, was the highlight of the Clasico
Internacional del Caribe, a series of multiple races for Thoroughbreds from the Caribbean and Latin
America. The main feature was for 3-year-olds from the region going 1 1/8 miles.
Kukulkan, gave Ortiz Jr. his third win in the series, a feat he repeated from last year. The son of Point Determined, trained by Fausto Gutierrez for Cuadra San Jorge, was sent off as the 1-5 heavy
favorite.
"This is like a dream because this horse has a lot of quality," Gutierrez said. "We spoke a few days ago about the capacity he has. This horse has a lot of stamina and he won very easy today. He ran not in his normal style or as he has before. Irad took him and relaxed and relaxed and when he decided to go, the horse went easily."
Ortiz Jr. took back on Kukulkan, while El Salsero took his time up front. The opening quarter-mile fractions went in 24.50, 49.03 and 1:14.54. Kandinsky was a couple lengths off the pace and briefly took over in the turn for home before Kukulkan swept to the front. The undefeated colt continued to lengthen the gap and completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.80.
"He’s a very professional horse, his attitude in the paddock and with everyone in the stands," Gutierrez added. "He’s a real racehorse. To make history and win two back to back with these horses is a dream."
The connections won the Clasico del Caribe last year with the filly Jala Jala, who returned this year to win the Confraternity Caribbean Cup Stakes.
The Clasico del Caribe order of finish was completed by Bukowski, Kandinsky, Dario Ruth Literario, El Salsero, Sol De Orion and My Racing Mate.
All eyes were on Kukulkan, though, as he crossed the wire 10 1/4 lengths in front.
"He’s unbelievable," Ortiz Jr. said. "He’s undefeated in 14 races. Horses like him make you look good."