Wednesday, October 19, 2016
The 2016 running of the prestigious G3 Clásico Angel Contreras Mejía, presented by Rancho San Antonio, turned into showcase of the talent of RSA breds who captured 1st through 4th positions in the 1,400 meter event.
The speedy Affari Nostro (Endymion - Affari Sono Affari, by Blueformer) was coming into the race with an impressive 5 race wins streak which included a decisive victory in the Clásico Simón A. Pemberton-G3. All runners were trying the 1,400 meter distance for the first time and since there was plenty of speed in the race some veteran handicappers considered things would set up nicely for a closer...and they did.
Away alertly, Affari Nostro was challenged by another RSA bred Asabache (Sicótico - Odalsi, by Shooped) and took control of the after establishing fractions of 23 and 46 1/5 seconds. The torrid pace over the sloppy track took it's toll on Asabache who faded and settled for forth. The handsome roan Imperio, always content to run from off the pace, did just that. He ran from near last, but in the final 500 meters put on a furious run and when given several sharp cracks of the whip by regular rider Luis Jimenez, powered away to win in 1:26 1/5. Show honors where for Trouble Maker (Tango Tales - Moon Wind, Migrating Moon) to complete the RSA superfecta.
Imperio, a mid-sized roan colt by leading DR sire Blueformer out of Champion Older Imported Mare Sky Miss, by Robyn Dancer, is the first foal to race by the mare who has been plagued by barren years, abortions and lost foals. The breeder's persistence paid of with Imperio. The colt was offered at the RSA 2015 yearling sale and was bid on by the breeder to secure him for the RSA stable.
The Clásico Angel Contreras Mejia-G3 honors the RSA founder who was jubilant after the win by his homebred colt. Imperio is owned by RSA and races in the RSA colors and is trained by Eugenio Deschamps and Juan Jimenez.
The next engagement for Imperio is likely to be the 1,700 meter Clásico de Criadores Versión Potros-G1, and it seems likely that the colt will relish the added distance. Time will tell.