One Famous Crystal rallies from the outside to upset the $26,800 Champion of Champions Classic-G3 Sunday at Hipodromo de las Americas

© Miguel Ángel Espinoza

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

MEXICO CITY, MX—DECEMBER 21, 2025–One Famous Crystal and Run For Cover sprang the 1-2 upset over heavy favorite Hiclass And Grand in Sunday’s $26,800 Champion of Champions Classic-G3 at Hipodromo de las Americas.

Breaking from the outside post, Huberclein Gomez guided One Famous Crystal to a rallying victory in 21.77 seconds, earning a 94 speed index. The California-bred colt tracked the pace and closed strongly down the outside to edge past Run For Cover, who had kept a firm hold on the lead. The upset returned $10.70 for the effort.

One Famous Crystal was making just his third career start and his first stakes attempt. He broke his maiden in October and did not race during his freshman campaign.

The winning connections of One Famous Crystal accept the Champion of Champions trophy at the Hipodromo de las Americas on Sunday. © Luis Prieto Zamudio

The $13,400 winner’s share pushed One Famou Crystal’s earnings to $16,400 for owner Rancho El Pirul. Bred by La Presita LLC/LJ Ranch Inc, the son of One Famous Eagle is out of Corona Crystal by Corona Cartel.

Run For Cover, ridden by Miguel Angel Rodriguez, fought on gamely after setting the tempo and was nailed late when One Famous Crystal surged at the final strides. The lightly raced filly now owns one win from four starts with $10,500 in earnings.

Bred in Texas by Bobby Simmons, the daughter of leading sire Apollitical Jess is a $52,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate. She is out of Slide Of Hand by Favorite Trick. Ramon Guerrero Trejo trains her for owner Cuadra Los Chivos.

Third-place finisher Hiclass And Grand, the 2-1 morning-line favorite, checked in behind the top pair. The six-year-old by FDD Going Grand has finished on the board in 17 of 18 starts, including 10 wins, with $112,000 in earnings for owner Cuadra Santa Elena.

He was bred in the Montana by Harold M. Jeanotte out of Hiclass Little Lilly by Hiclass La Jolla. Joaquin Ramon Pelaez Cortes trains the $9,700 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate, who was ridden by Alejandro Gomez.

Surprise Party, Hes Genuine, and Cr Barak rounded out the order of finish.

*******************

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.