Highly touted two-year old Amoroso had it tough. The Hipodromo V Centenario racefans have been abuzz with loftly expectations. The dark bay colt resembles his legendary sire Sicótico, both in looks and running style. However, in a previous meeting, a 5 furlong sprint for firsters, it was the speedy Nelson G. (Codasco) who took the prize.

On Saturday, November 9^th, Amoroso turned the tables on his archrival, digging in with determination in the stretch after pressing early fractions, to deliver the Rancho San Antonio stable a win in the 5^th running of the Clásico Angel Contreras Mejía-G3, held in honor of RSA’s founder and the colt’s co-breeder.

Amoroso broke sharply and relaxed under the gentle handling of leading rider Luis Jimenez, allowing Nelson G. to establish the pace. After 400 meters Amoroso pressured and both colts triggered the timers in 23 2/5 and 46 flat. The stands rumbled with the urging and shouts of the crowd. Nelson G., an A.P. Indy grandson, was as game as they come and fought back in deep stretch until Amoroso drew by to win by 1 ½ widening lengths, completing the 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs) in a respectable 1:12 2/5. Amoroso galloped out powerfully, hinting that he would be able to try longer races.

Amoroso is from the first crop of Caribbean Champion Sicótico, winner of the 2008 Clásico Internacional del Caribe-G1, a Dominican Triple Crown Winner and a winner of 24 consecutive races, and is his sire’s first winner and stakeswinner. The colt, out of the Real Courage mare La Emperatriz, is a half-brother to Champion 3 year-old colt and Champion Older Horse Estruendo. Juan Jimenez and Eugenio Deschamps, the same duo responsible for the care of Sicótico, also train Amoroso.