Undefeated Kukulkan Romps in Caribbean Classic

Mexico's Triple Crown champion Kukulkan remained unbeaten in 14 starts when he threw down a 10 1/4-length victory Dec. 8 in the $300,000 Caribbean Classic Stakes at Gulfstream Park, providing jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. with his third winner in the five-race Clasico Internacional del Caribe.

The Caribbean Classic, a 1 1/8-mile stakes for 3-year-olds, brought down the curtain on a festive event for horses based in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ortiz, who rode three winners during last year's event, repeated the achievement Saturday with victories aboard Kukulkan, Puerto Rico's Mishegas in the Invitational Cup Stakes, and Mexico's Jala Jala in the Confraternity Caribbean Cup Stakes. Ortiz rode Jala Jala to victory in last year's Caribbean Classic.

"It's great. I'm so happy to represent my country and Mexico, too," said Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico. "It's a pleasure to ride these kind of horses."

Trainer Fausto Gutierrez saddled both Kukulkan and Jala Jala.

"This is like a dream because this horse has a lot of quality," Gutierrez said of Kukulkan. "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. He's a very professional horse, his attitude in the paddock and with everyone in the stands. He's a real racehorse. To make history and win two back to back with these horses is a dream."

Ortiz rated Kukulkan fifth along the backstretch as Puerto Rico's El Salsero set a comfortable pace on fractions of :24.50 and :49.03 for the first half-mile, closely stalked by Panama's Sol De Orion and Kukulkan's stablemate Kandinsky. Kukulkan advanced along the backstretch to approach the pacesetters before surging between horses to take the lead on the far turn without being asked by Ortiz. The son of Point Determined romped away to win as he pleased to complete the distance in 1:54.80.

"He's unbelievable. He's undefeated in 14 races. Horses like him make you look good," Ortiz said.

Kukulkan notched five grade 1 victories, including all three legs of the Mexican Triple Crown, at Hipodromo de Las Americas in Mexico City. Cuadra San Jorge's homebred colt won his last four races by 38 3/4 lengths prior to winning Saturday's Caribbean Classic by double digits.

Bukowski rallied to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Cuadra San Jorge's Kandinsky.

Earlier on the card, Jala Jala saved ground early before drawing off to an impressive 4 3/4-length triumph in the $100,000 Confraternity Caribbean Cup.

The victory, coupled with her nine-length romp in the Caribbean Classic last December, made Cuadra San Jorge's Jala Jala the first filly ever to sweep the Clasico Internacional del Caribe's premier races for 3-year-olds and older horses, beating males both times.

"I think this is amazing because she is the first filly to win these two races and, especially, in the form she won in," Gutierrez said. "She won very clear and made history for this race."

Ortiz settled Jala Jala in fifth along the rail as Bold Master posted fractions of :24.38 and :49.95 pressed by fellow Puerto Rican contender Exclusivo, a multiple group stakes winner with 15 wins from 18 starts. Exclusivo cruised past leaving the backstretch after going six furlongs in 1:15.08, but Jala Jala was creeping up the inside and into contention.

           

Tipped to the outside by Ortiz once clear of 2017 Caribbean Classic runner-up Fray Angelico on the turn, Jala Jala met no resistance as she assumed the lead and straightened for home in front, pulling clear under a hand ride.

"She's a nice filly. She beat the boys both times," Ortiz said. "She makes it look easy. She's so talented."

Fray Angelico was a decisive second, 10 1/2 lengths ahead of Exclusivo.

Mishegas, representing Puerto Rico, put on a show in the $77,500 Invitational Cup with a 10 1/4-length romp in the 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-olds and up.

The son of Include  made a sweeping move to the lead on the far turn and lengthened his advantage to the wire, befitting his 1-5 favoritism in a field reduced to five starters by the early scratches of defending champion Coltimus Prime from Panama and morning-line favorite California Music of Panama.

The Lady Caribbean Cup Stakes for 3-year-old fillies saw Brigantia put away Mexican filly Triple Crown winner Kutzamala at the top of the stretch and hold on for a 1 1/2-length win, and Big Boris One, who was victorious in his two career starts in Venezuela, remained undefeated Saturday with a triumph in the $105,800 Caribbean Cup Speed Stakes.

Total handle on the Clasico Internacional del Caribe program was $9.617 million, surpassing last year's $8.822 million total handle by 9%.

Last year, Gulfstream became the first pari-mutuel facility outside Latin America or the Caribbean to host the Clasico Internacional del Caribe since its inception in 1966. Jala Jala is the second straight horse to win both the Clasico and Confraternidad in successive years, following Panamanian colt El Tigre Mono in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

"Once again, the atmosphere surrounding Clasico was incredible," said Gulfstream General Manager Bill Badgett. "There was such a great energy surrounding the races and the entertainment. We witnessed great performances on the track and saw what incredible and passionate fans this sport has around the world. We look forward to seeing our friends again from the Confederation of Caribbean Racetracks."