Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
TOCUMEN (left), running as the 'even money' favourite, with apprentice Rayan Wilson aboard, goes by long-time leader UNQUESTIONABLE (Rod DaCosta) to win the $170,000 claiming race for the Charlie James Memorial Trophy at Caymanas Park on Saturday. The Javour Simpson-ridden KERMIT (out of pic) finished a close second. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
Puerto Rican-bred Soy Conquistador took advantage of a fast pace established by Venezuela's Sambuca and the Dominican Republic's Matty Alou to easily win Sunday's $300,000 Clasico del Caribe at Hipodromo Camarero (formerly El Commandante) in Puerto Rico.
Jamaica's entry Rum Talk, coming from the unfavourable number one post position in a field of 10, found himself outpaced from early and had only two runners behind him at the finish.
Failed in bid
The 1-1/8-mile race is for horses bred in countries belonging to the Caribbean Horse Racing Confederation - Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the reigning Jamaican 'Horse of the Year', Miracle Man (allen Maragh up), failed in his bid to win the US$100,000 Confraternity Classic for the second straight year in Puerto Rico on Saturday, finishing fourth to the Venezulean horse Gran Estefana over 10 furlongs.
In the Caribbean Classic, Soy Conqistador was ridden by Hector Berrios-Torres, who saved ground by staying close to the rail and taking command with three furlongs left, on his way to a five-length victory in a track-record time of 1:50:06.
Puerto Rico's Primero Nieto came from well off the pace to finished second, with Venezuela's Sambuca third and Taconeo fourth.
"When I saw the horses up front going fast, I decided to stay calm and, when a hole opened in the inside I decided to make my move," said Berrios-Torres. "This victory is for Puerto Rico."
trainer Maximo Gomez said: "This horse was suffering from ulcers during the summer and we decided to rest him. We gave him enough time to heal, and for this being just his second race back after the layoff, it has even surprised us how well he raced. I firmly believe he is going to get even better."
