The first Clasico Internacional del Caribe in the United States run on Saturday (December 9) was a great day for Mexican-bred horses, Puerto Rican jockeys, and Gulfstream Park.

Jala Jala, a Mexican-bred with US bloodlines, scored a shockingly easy nine-length victory in the feature of the five-stakes series, the Caribbean Classic Stakes. Jala Jala’s stunning win capped a big day for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr, who earlier on the stakes card also won aboard Mexico’s Jaguaryu in the US$124,000 Copa Dama and Panama’s Coltimus Prime in the US$91,200 Invitational Cup Stakes.

Rated well back of the leaders early, Jala Jala was asked by Ortiz to pick it up midway down the backstretch. She swept past the early leaders on the turn and opened a commanding lead by the top of the stretch. From there she cruised to the wire, completing nine furlongs on a sealed, sloppy track in 1:52.14.

Fray Angelico, disadvantaged by the outside 12 post, rallied from the back of the pack to pick up second. Jala Jala’s Cuadra San Jorge stablemate Joyme, who was on the early pace, held on for third.

Puerto Rico Triple Crown winner Justiciero finished fifth, while Venezuela’s El Cubita, the 5-2 favourite, finished ninth.

Jala Jala had won six of 15 previous starts and had raced exclusively against the boys in Mexico City this year, capturing the Group 1 Esmeralda Stakes in June and a minor stakes last time out. The daughter of Point Determined is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare, Buzz Song,and was bred at Rancho San Jorge. Both Rancho and Cuadra San Jorge are owned by German Larrea Mota-Vellasco, who was not present.

“It’s been an amazing day winning three races and a dream come true winning the Caribbean Classic. The other two races were so special for me to win these kind of races. It feels like the Breeders’ Cup races,” said Ortiz, a native of Puerto Rico who is the leading North America jockey in wins this year. “Everyone from these countries dreams of winning these races and in our country the biggest race for us is this Caribbean Classic.”

Ortiz, who said he has been following the classic since he was six, said winning it was the fulfilment of a dream.

“In our country, the biggest race for us is the Caribbean Classic. For some people it might not be as big but for me, it is like a Breeders’ Cup race.”

Ortiz’s victory aboard Coltimus Prime in particular held exceptional meaning. The six-year-old Ontario-bred by Milwaukee Brew is owned by Rene Douglas, a former jockey who is paralysed as a result of a spill at Arlington International Racecourse in 2009.

Douglas, who is in a wheelchair, was mobbed by well-wishers chanting “Panama, Ole, Ole,” in the winner’s circle. The victory was especially satisfying, the Panamanian-born Douglas said, “because these are my people. For them, it is like winning the Kentucky Derby (G1). It’s not about money, it’s about pride.”

Coltimus Prime, who competed on the 2014 Triple Crown trail and won that year’s Prince of Wales Stakes, was exported to Panama this year and won a Group 1 stakes from five starts for Cabernet Racing Stable.

Hall of Famer John Velazquez contributed to a sweep of the five races for Puerto Rican-born jockeys, guiding Panama’s El Tigre Mono to a come-from-behind victory in the 10-furlong Confraternity Caribbean Cup Stakes and leading all the way with Venezuela’s Master Supreme in the six-furlong Caribbean Cup Speed.

Gulfstream gambled that South Florida fans wouldn’t be put off by almost half a prime Saturday card featuring horses and trainers with whom they had little familiarity. Admission was free so there is no accurate crowd count, but the track apron was jammed from the rail to the back wall and concession stands hawking Clasico souvenirs were busy all afternoon.

On-track handle soared to US$1.4 million compared to US$947,000 over the corresponding Saturday last year. Total handle was US$8.8 million, compared to US$9.4 million the previous year. Total handle on the five Clasico races last year at Camarero was approximately US$1 million, according to Camarero’s president and principal owner Ervin Rodriguez.