Grade I Stakes race | |
"The Caribbean Derby"
|
|
Location | Variable |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1966 |
Race type | Thoroughbred |
Website | Clásico del Caribe |
Race information | |
Distance | 1 1⁄8 miles (1,800 m) |
Surface | Dirt |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | 3-year-old |
Weight | Winner Countries: Colt/Gelding: 124 lbs Filly: 118 lbs Other Countries: Colt/Gelding/Filly: 116 lbs |
Purse | US$400,000 |
The traditional Clásico Internacional del Caribe or Caribbean Derby is the thoroughbred Grade I stakes race in Latin America for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held on the month of December. The current holder of the title is the Panamanian Calinico. 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 (10f), and the Confraternity Cup (10f) for 3 & up horses.
The latter event has been broadcast through ESPN and its stations on a yearly basis since 2000, given its popularity throughout the racing industry. Together with other news reporters from Central, South and Latin America, ESPN takes coverage of this breathtakingly emotional event throughout the United States, the Caribbean and all Latin America.
It was announced in July 2016 by the Confederation of Caribbean Racetracks that the 2017 edition of the Clásico Internacional del Caribe will be held at Gulfstream Park in the United States. Gulfstream will be the first pari-mutuel track outside of Latin American and the Caribbean to host the event.
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 stake with 15 followed by Venezuela with 13, Mexico with 10 and Puerto Rico with 8. Colombia and Dominican Republic has won the stake only once. The Venezuelan jockey Emisael Jaramillo has more victories in this stake with 5 followed by Panamanian Cornelio Velasquez with 3.
Three jockeys have won both the Kentucky Derby and the Clasico Internacional del Caribe: