The Clásico Internacional del Caribe or Caribbean Derby is the thoroughbred most important black-type stakes race in the Caribbean for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held on the month of December. The race features the best 3-year-old colts and fillies from the countries which are members of the Confederacion Hipica del Caribe.
Along with the celebration of the Clásico Internacional del Caribe, four other international races are programmed during the weekend festivities. These races are the Copa Velocidad (Caribbean Sprint Cup) (6f), Copa Dama del Caribe (Caribbean Ladies' Classic) (8.5f), Copa Invitacional del Caribe (8f), and the Confraternity Cup (10f) for 3 & up horses.
The 2017 edition of the Clásico Internacional del Caribe was held at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Gulfstream was the first pari-mutuel track outside of Latin American and the Caribbean to host the event. Bringing for the first time World class substance abuse rules to the most important Race of the Caribbean and a LEVELED field of competition for ALL the countries which are members of the Confederacion Hipica del CAribe.
History The Clásico Internacional del Caribe occurred after thirteen years of arduous work. Engineer Ramón Llobet Jr and Lic. Abelardo Ruiz Suria, among other distinguished Puerto Rican horsemen, created the event in 1966. This derby was designed in order to strengthen ties of friendship and brotherhood between the countries of the Caribbean. To be eligible to run in the Clásico a thoroughbred must be bred in one of the confederation member nations.
Panamá is the country with most winning in this black-type stakes with 15 followed by Venezuela with 14, Mexico with 11 and Puerto Rico with 8. Colombia and Dominican Republic has won the stakes only once. The Venezuelan jockey Emisael Jaramillo has more victories in this stake with 5 followed by Panamanian Cornelio Velásquez with 3.
Four jockeys have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Clasico Internacional del Caribe: Gustavo Ávila (Canonero II and Victoreado (VEN)) Jacinto Vásquez (Genuine Risk, and Barremina (PAN)) Laffit Pincay Jr. (Swale and Pikotazo (MEX)) Joel Rosario (Orb and Sicotico (DOM)) Gustavo Ávila is the only jockey to win the Preakness Stakes and the Caribbean Derby (Canonero II and Victoreado (VEN)).
Five jockeys have won the Belmont Stakes and the Caribbean Derby: Ruben Hernandez (Coastal and Ezgarta (MEX)) Laffit Pincay Jr. (Conquistador Cielo, Swale, Caveat and Pikotazo (MEX)) Fernando Jara (Jazil and Ay Papá (PAN)) Joel Rosario (Tonalist and Sicotico (DOM)) Irad Ortiz Jr. (Creator and Jala Jala (MEX)) Venezuela is the only country to win on four consecutive occasions (with Bambera in 2009, Water Jet in 2010, Heisenberg in 2011 and El de Chine in 2012). On eleven occasions a country has managed to finish in the top two positions: Mexico with Guadamur and Gumiel (1969), Voy por Uno and Barrullero (1976) and Ezgarta and Gran Zar (1978); Venezuela with Rayo Laser and Gallardete (1987), Alighieri and Jib Dancer (1997), Water Jet and Gran Charlie (2010); Panama with Cortisol and Gotti (1999), and El Tigre Mono and Chantik (2016); and Puerto Rico with Vuelve Candy B. and Satin Charger (1991), Borrascoso and Shahid (2005), Soy Conquistador and Primero Nieto (2007). In 2009, for the first time officially two fillies occupied the top two positions: Bambera (VEN) and Vivian Record (MEX). In 1996 two fillies, Angelical (PAN) and La Supernova (PR), occupied the top two positions but the latter was disqualified to the 3rd position.
On one occasion a brother-sister team sired by the same horse were the first and second-place finishers: El Tigre Mono and Chantik finished 1–2 in 2016. Both were sired by Concerto.
The longest gap between winners of one country is of 14 years (Puerto Rico – Wiso G, 1968 to Guaybanex, 1982 and Soy Conquistador, 2007 to Tamborero, 2021).
Pikotazo (MEX) is the only winner of the Clásico del Caribe to run in the US Triple Crown Race (in the 1980 Belmont Stakes, finishing 10th).
Verset Dancer (PR) was the first filly to win the Clásico del Caribe, also establishing a track (the then Hipodromo El Comandante) and stake record (1:50:1/5). Six more fillies beside Verset Dancer have won the Clásico del Caribe: Galilea (COL) in 1984; Angelical (PAN) in 1996; Alexia (PAN) in 2001; Bambera (VEN) in 2009; Ninfa del Cielo (VEN) in 2014; and Jala Jala (MEX) in 2017.
Verset Jet (PR), winner in 1993 is a product out of Verset Dancer (PR), winner in 1983.
Rosemary Homeister Jr. is the first (and so far only) female jockey to win the Clasico del Caribe.
Five Clasico del Caribe winners went to win the Copa Confraternidad (Confraternity Cup): Verset Jet (PR) in 1994; My Own Business (VEN) in 2002 and 2003; Soy Conquistador (PR) in 2009; El Tigre Mono (PAN) in 2017; and Kukulkan (MEX) in 2019.
Winners of the Clásico Internacional del Caribe YearHost TrackWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerTime2024 La Rinconada2023 Presidente Remón Blessed Ben HurLuis SaezMario EstevezStud Dani Sam1:55.002022 La Rinconada Iniesta †Paco LopezOscar GonzalezCuadra San Isidro1:51.092021 Camarero TamboreroJuan Carlos DiazRamon MoralesSonata Stable1:53.702020Not held2019 Gulfstream Park The Brother SlewPaco LopezPaul ValeryStud Chamberi 1:51.762018 Gulfstream Park Kukulkan †Irad Ortiz Jr.Fausto Gutierrez Cuadra San Jorge1:54.802017 Gulfstream ParkFirst running outside of Latin America and the Caribbean Jala Jala ‡Irad Ortiz Jr.Fausto Gutierrez Cuadra San Jorge1:52.142016 Camarero El Tigre MonoFelix SalgadoCarlos Espino GuantiStud Marathon1:57.332015 Presidente Remón Calinico A formal objection by second place finisher Huitlacoche's (MEX) team was dismissed by the officials.Jose LezcanoAlberto Paz Rodríguez Stud Campo Azul1:57:332014 La Rinconada Ninfa del Cielo ‡Emisael JaramilloJuan Carlos ÁvilaStud El Oso Yogui1:51.002013 Presidente Remón Diamante NegroMoisés GonzalezUlises Silva TrejoCuadra Mapa1:54:542012 Camarero El de ChineEmisael JaramilloJuan Carlos ÁvilaStud Monte Piedad1:52.692011 Presidente Remón HeisenbergEmisael JaramilloSantos Mario DomínguezStud Jabces1:54.002010 La Rinconada Water Jet †Emisael JaramilloGustavo DelgadoEstablo El Fantasma1:48.80Stakes Record2009 Camarero Bambera ‡Edgar PérezGustavo DelgadoEstablo Paula-C1:51.602008 Camarero Sicótico †Joel Rosario Eugenio DeschampsEstablo Jacksan1:52.542007 Camarero Soy ConquistadorHector BerriosMáximo GomezEstablo Edelsam1:50.06New track record at the Hipodromo Camarero2006 El Comandante Ay PapáFernando JaraJosé CarrilloStud Angel C1:53.022005 El Comandante BorrascosoAlexis FelicianoSammy GarciaSilent Stable1:54.602004 El Comandante Spago †Cornelio VelásquezMoises HenriquezStud La Marea1:52.472003 El Comandante CafajesteCornelio VelásquezRafael Fernández PradoStud Full House1:53.732002 El Comandante Gran AbueloAngel CastilloGustavo DelgadoStud Los Grandes1:52.272001 El Comandante Alexia ‡Rosemary Homeister Jr.Eric GittensStud Campo Azul1:54.562000 El Comandante My Own BusinessEmisael JaramilloAntonio BellardiStud Fantasia1:51.761999 Presidente Remón CortisolCamilo PittyJulio TorresStud Cantón1:52.201998 Santa Rosa Park Evaristo † Disqualification of High Security (VEN) to second placeJesus BarriaRoberto ArangoStud El Naranjo1:52.221997 La Rinconada AlighieriDouglas ValienteAantonio CataneseStud San Omero1:50.401996 El Comandante Angelical ‡Roberto PerezRoberto ArangoStud Nakacat1:54.731995 V Centenário LocochónJavier MatíasJuan Ruiz GarciaCuadra Santa Rita1:49.2/51994 El Comandante El Gran Nano Disqualifications of Golden End (PR) and Waki Boy (PR) due to dopingJulio GarciaJesus M. RodriguezEstablo Tres M.N/A1993 El Comandante Verset's JetJuan CintrónJorge MaymoEstablo Mandarria1:51.2/51992 El Comandante Leonardo †Cornelio VelásquezAlberto Paz RodriguezStud La Marea1:51.3/51991 El Comandante Vuelve Candy B. † Disqualifications of Rio Chamita (VEN) and Landrea (VEN) due to dopingJulio GarciaCandelario BonillaEstablo Nori-AnnetteN/A1990 Santa Rita Don FabiánJuan V. TovarCésar CachazoStud Doña Félida1:59.0 Held over 1 3/16 miles (1.900 meters)1989 El Comandante Pan de los PobresAlfredo Smith Jr.Felix Rodriguez Jr.Lucky Four Stables1:53.1/51988 Caliente Don GabrielHumberto EnriquezAlfredo MárquezCuadra San Gabriel1:51.4/51987 El Comandante Rayo LaserRafael TorrealbaAgustin BezaraEstablo Tamborazo1:52.3/51986 Caliente BeneméritoDouglas ValienteDaniel PerezStud Gorjeadora1:49.3/51985 La Rinconada PatilargoVictor TejadaFelix Rodriguez Jr.Militza y Carlos Romero1:58.0 Held over 1 3/16 miles (1.900 meters)1984 Presidente Remón Galilea ‡Jorge DuarteManuel MunarHaras Santa Lucía1:57.2/51983 El Comandante Verset Dancer ‡Santos NavarroJose MaymoEstablo Pro1:50.1/51982 El Comandante GuaybanexJuan SantiagoJuan M. RodriguezEstablo Caribe1:53.3/51981 El Comandante El CómicoVictor TejadaDario RamosStud Los Novatos1:53.3/51980 La Rinconada Pikotazo †Laffit Pincay Jr.Alberto BarreraCuadra Just Horgus1:52.1/51979Not held1978 El Comandante EzgartaRuben HernandezEusebio Razo BeltranCuadra Sigui1:51.01977 El Comandante Huracan SíArgenis RosilloJuan VidalStud Balbico1:54.2/51976 Las Américas Voy por UnoGustavo MarquezEusebio Razo BeltranCuadra Ely1:55.3/51975 La Rinconada TeziutlánAlberto ZepedaRené CastilloJorge Sarur Aburto2:02.0 Held over 1 3/16 miles (1.900 meters)1974 El Comandante BarreminaJacinto VásquezAlberto Paz RodriguezStud Characo1:54.3/51973 Presidente Remón Montecarlo †Marcel ZuñigaFelix RodriguezDolores de Shulte1:57.3/51972Not held1971 La Rinconada NacozareñoGuillermo GavidiaTomas Lopez AltamiraCuadra Georgina1:54.01970 Presidente Remón HashinMiguel YanezJose BarbaCuadra Carrusel1:56.3/51969 Las Américas GuadamurAlberto ZepedaAntonio JustoCuadra Carrusel1:52.4/51968 El Comandante Wiso G.Carlos LopezDiego AcevedoCinderella Stud1:54.1/51967 La Rinconada El ComancheRuben ContrerasClaudino HernandezCuadra San Luis1:56.3/51966 El Comandante VictoreadoGustavo ÁvilaDomingo Noguera MoraStud Raga1:56.1/5
A † designates a Triple Crown Winner in their native country. A ‡ designates a filly. Notes:
Winners by country
CountryWins Panama15 Venezuela14 Mexico14 Puerto Rico8 Colombia1 Dominican Republic1 Thoroughbred databaseWinners, in: Thoroughbred Heritage
References
External links seriehipicadelcaribe.com