El Ilusionista SR rallies under jockey Nestor Duran to win the $54,000 Mexico Derby at Hipódromo de las Américas on Sunday.

© Miguel A. Espinoza

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

MEXICO CITY, MEX–MARCH 15, 2026– El Ilusionista SR surged late to capture the Mexico Derby on Sunday for his sixth consective win. He covered the 300 yards in :15.23 seconds, clocking a 91 speed index at Hipódromo de las Américas.

The race carried an approximate purse of $54,000, with El Ilusioniasta earning $22,800 of the winner’s share. Tarantino SR finished second and KC Shes Cartel completed the top three.

Breaking from the outside post 10, El Ilusionista SR closed strongly under Nestor Duran to defeat Tarantino SR by a 1/2-length, while KC Shes Cartel finished another neck back in third. The winner posted a 91 speed index over the fast racing surface.

Duran said the gelding broke sharply from the gate and continues to improve with maturity.
“He broke in front whenever right out of the gates,” Duran said. “The horse is doing better. The older he gets, the better he gets.”

The victory improved El Ilusionista SR’s record to 8-1-0 from ten starts with earnings of $110,800. Bred by Rancho Santa Rosa Chiapas, he is owned by Champion Owner Cuadra San Martin and trained by Champion Trainer Luis Enrique Cruz Solis. The gelding is sired by Swingin Good Reason and out of the Valiant Hero mare Muscles Diablo.

The winning connections of El Ilusionista SR accept the $54,000 Mexico Derby trophy at Hipódromo de las Américas on Sunday. © Luis Prieto Zamudio

Runner-up Tarantino SR continued his consistent campaign, stopping the clock in :15.31 seconds to earn $9,200. Owned by Cuadra Mendoza and trained by Cesar Garcia Serrano, the colt was ridden by Uriel Lopez.

Tarantino SR, who now carries a record of 15-2-3-2 with earnings of $21,200, was bred by Rancho Santa Rosa Chiapas. He is sired by One Big Bird, a son of One Famous Eagle, and is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare One Slick Jessie.

Ridden by Arturo Vega, third-place finisher KC Shes Cartel picked up $6,500 for the effort after completing the course in :15.32 seconds. The filly now holds a record of 12-4-2-3 with earnings of $54,600.

Bred by Champion Breeder Abelardo Gallegos Fernandez, she races for Cuadra Las Vegas, with Angel Gustavo Magdaleno serving as trainer. KC Shes Cartel is by Champion Sire Krash Cartel, a son of Corona Cartel, and is out of Champion Broodmare Shes Tough Enough P, a winner and stakes finalist by Apollitical Jess.

The Mexico Derby was contested for Quarter Horses foaled in Mexico that were nominated through the XL Subasta Selecta Sale catalog, with the ten fastest qualifiers from the March 1 trials advancing to the final.

The victory also marked Duran’s second stakes win of the night, as he earlier captured the AQHA Distaff Challenge aboard Champion DK Crystal Favorite.

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly DK Misty Cartel came in fourth and was followed by Manny SR, KC Diamante, KC Coco Cristal, K To Be Queen, DK Lisboa Cartel, and Mi Krash Favorito.

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