Moises González and Huitlacoche wins 2017 Longines Handicap de las Americas

Ridden by jockey Moisés González, Huitlacoche was widely tipped to take the honours in the lead-up to the race and justified the tag of race favourite by coming home ahead of Famus Palo and Templo Maya in second and third place respectively.

The success represented a fourth victory for González in this most prestigious of horse races in Latin America, called ‘The classic of classics’. The trophy is the most prestigious in horse racing across the region, with comparisons often drawn to other major races such as the Kentucky Derby.

The Longines Handicap of the Americas is competed for by thoroughbred horses and run over a distance of 1700 metres at the Hipódromo de las Americas, located in Lomas de Sotelo, in Mexico.

Of the 12 horses that entered, Huitlacoche, who won the Triple Crown in Mexico and came second in the Caribbean International Classic in 2015 and in the Classical Fellowship. Was bidding to become the second three-year-old [after Grand Czar] to achieve the Triple Crown and the Handicap of the Americas.

However he was to face stiff competition with Piropo, winner of the 2017 Gay Dalton Handicap and second in the Presidential Handicap, and Maya Temple, who was winner of the Handicap Lomas de Sotelo, tipped to feature in the running.

As was Rio Fuerte, who many thought would offer a surprise, along with Capitanazo, on the back of having won the Gay Dalton Handicap in 2016, and Mr Pai, who was the winner of the Longines Grand Prix at the end of 2016.

In the end it was Famus Palo and Templo Maya who proved Huitlacoche’s closest contenders albeit trailing in the runners-up places.

With this victory, Huitlacoche claims a status as being up there with the best in Latin America horse racing, alongside the likes of three times champion Black Diamond (in 2014, 2015 and 2016), and Dahy (winner in 2013).

In recognition of their victory, the winning owner, trainer and jockey were each awarded an elegant Longines watch by Edith Chavez, Brand Manager of Longines Mexico.