Puerto Rico shippers had rough road to Clasico del Caribe

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Looking at past performances alone, it would be far from a miracle for Justiciero to win Saturday’s $300,000 Clasico del Caribe at Gulfstream Park. After all, the son of Kentucky-bred Coach Billy G. has won seven of his eight starts at 3, including all three legs of the Puerto Rican Triple Crown.

But that all occurred before Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September. One of the consequences of the monster storm was extensive damage to Camarero Racetrack, which has brought all racing in Puerto Rico to a virtual standstill for the past three months.

“It’s a miracle we’re even here after all that has happened,” said Mark Tacher, who owns both Justiciero and Platino, a second member of the Clasico del Caribe field. “But we’ve made a huge effort to participate in this Clasico Caribe, and hopefully all the Puerto Rican horses will do well in the series.”

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Tacher, who also is a part owner of Camarero Racetrack, said he evacuated most of his horses, including Justiciero, Platino, and Sanjuanera, from the racetrack the day before the storm struck. A 3-year-old filly, Sanjuanera qualified for the main event but will run instead on the undercard in the Dama de Clasico.

“The storm was forecast to hit the northern part of the island worst, so I sent my horses to a farm on the southern end the day before just to be sure,” Tacher said. “And it’s been quite a ride ever since. After the storm, we couldn’t even get the horses back to the track for nearly a week due to the road conditions. And even once they were able to return, it was 11 to 12 days before we were able to have the racetrack up and running again. So they all missed nearly two weeks of training at that point, and even more time when put in quarantine, not once but twice, before finally making the trip over here. So obviously, these horses have a lot going against them coming into their races.”

Tacher said Camararo Racetrack itself incurred as much as $40 million in damages as a result of Maria.

“Most of the barns lost their roofs, the main building was completely destroyed, and we had a tough time reconstructing the racetrack in the wake of the storm,” Tacher said. “We were able to put on a qualifying race for the El Caribe, an exhibition, on Oct. 29, which is the only racing we’ve had in the country since Maria. But fortunately none of the 800 to 900 horses who rode out the storm at the track, or any of their handlers, were injured, which was also a miracle.”

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A field of 12 3-year-olds representing five countries, including three fillies, was drawn here Wednesday for the 1 1/8-mile Clasico del Caribe. Justiciero will break from post 7 with his regular rider, Juan Carlos Diaz, aboard. Platino, expected to serve as a rabbit for his more accomplished mate, drew the rail.

El Cubita, who represents Venezuela, was established as the 3-1 favorite by track linemaker Jay Stone. He’ll break from post 9 with Emisael Jaramillo aboard. Inmenso, the Triple Crown winner from the Dominican Republic, received post 10 and will have Joel Rosario in the saddle.

The remainder of the starting lineup includes Jala Jala (Irad Ortiz Jr.); Joyme (Manuel Franco); Inspirato (Javier Castellano); Tuki Monton (Edgard Zayas); Senalero (Jose Batista); Gatillo (Tyler Gaffalione); La De Horacio (John Velazquez); and Fray Angelico (Luis Saez).

The Clasico del Caribe will be the final race on an 11-race program here Saturday that also includes six 2-year-old stakes. Post time is 11:50 a.m.