Blacktag becomes the first América Futurity champion at the Jockey Club de Sorocaba on Saturday, May 16.

© Clicks Do Turfe

By Turfe Eunápolis

SOROCABA, BRAZIL–MAY 20, 2026–On April 25, twenty 2-year-old colts and fillies competed in the trials for the America Futurity, one of the major races of the 2026 season at Jockey Club de Sorocaba.

The horses were divided into five trials, with only the winner of each race earning a spot in the final of the competition, contested at 330 yards and carrying a total purse equivalent to US$45,000.

Fans, family members, and the team gather for Blacktag’s victory photo.© Clicks do Turfe

The decisive race to determine the champion was held this Saturday, May 16, featuring Angel Fantastic HFSJ, Uriel Lake Simon, Red Wave, Blacktag and Granite Revolution. The latter entered the final as the fastest qualifier after winning his trial in 16.459 seconds. Representing Chile’s Stud Africano, Granite Revolution had previously competed in the Brazilian Futurity, the richest race in Brazil, and for those reasons appeared as the betting favorite.

Jockey J. D. Pereira captured the América Futurity title for the first time.© Alx Fotografia

Blacktag won his trial in 16.625 seconds, meaning he would need to improve considerably in the final to defeat the wagering favorite. Ridden by J. D. Pereira, who carried 117 pounds and is one of the most successful jockeys in the history of Quarter Horse racing in Brazil, Blacktag broke with great speed and quickly assumed the lead.

His rivals were unable to cut into the margin, which remained at approximately one length through the wire. It marked a historic achievement for Paraguayan owner Denis Ortigoza on Brazilian soil.

“This victory has a different flavor. It’s not easy to win here. Many people buy 10 to 15 horses, expensive horses with tremendous quality. I bought one and was fortunate enough to find an extraordinary runner,” declared an emotional Denis Ortigoza. “My partner asked if I would take the horse to Paraguay or leave him to race in Brazil. I decided to give him an opportunity in Sorocaba, and this was the result of the confidence I had in him. This feeling cannot be bought in a supermarket. These are victories earned through great sacrifice. I’m very happy and thankful, thanks to God,” he added.

CLICK HERE to see the interview with Paraguayan Denis Ortigoza, owner of Blacktag, as he speaks about the victory in the America Futurity.

Blacktag became the America Futurity champion and stopped the clock in 16.319 seconds, showing major improvement compared to his previous start. The colt earned a 97 speed index with a 1.7 mph tailwind. The victory awarded the connections the equivalent of US$22,500 and kept the horse undefeated in two starts.

With the champion’s trophy, owner Denis Ortigoza is joined by trainer Alan Mendes and veterinarian Dr. Bruno Oliveira. © Duda Custódio

The winner’s veterinarian, the renowned Dr. Bruno Oliveira, revealed that days before the trial his patient developed a pulmonary secretion condition that nearly compromised his participation. However, a tremendous team effort allowed the colt to compete and later capture the victory, showing clear improvement on the racetrack.

The small-framed Angel Fantastic HFSJ, weighing only 977 pounds, finished second. Bred and owned by Haras Fazenda São José, he is trained by legendary conditioner Rivail Rosa.

The colt is sired by Fantastic Corona Jr out of Apollitical Angel (by Mr Jess Perry). The favorite Granite Revolution finished third, while Red Wave (4th) and Uriel Lake Simon (5th) completed the order of finish.

Northeastern Brazilian trainer Alan Mendes captured his second America Futurity title. In 2025, he won the race with the filly La Reyna (Fantastic Corona Jr x White Or Wrong, Mr Eye Opener), a triumph that marked the beginning of a season in which he would finish as Sorocaba’s leading trainer.

Alan Mendes and his wife, Isabel Dias. The trainer became a two-time champion of the America Futurity. © Alx Fotografia

Foaled in July 2023 and currently weighing 1248 pounds, Blacktag is sired by the American stallion Desirio, an important sire throughout different regions of Brazil, having produced Luiz Straw HRZ, the best Northeastern Brazilian colt of 2025.

Guapa Negra (by Granite Lake), the dam of Blacktag, is the active 300-yard track record holder at Sorocaba Racecourse with a time of 14.943 seconds, recorded in 2020.

It was another major accomplishment for the renowned breeding operation of Érico Braga’s Haras Prata, which became a four-time winner of the America Futurity following victories in 2019 (Ms Jessie), 2020 (Brave Granite), 2025 (La Reyna), and now in 2026 (Blacktag).

On May 29, 30 and 31, Jockey Club de Sorocaba will host one of the main competitions in Brazilian racing: the GP Megarace, nicknamed the “Million Race,” a Grade 1 event contested at 440 yards with a total purse equivalent to US$200,000, with trials and finals held during the same weekend.

The traditional Ana Dantas Ranch Sale – XIX Velocidade Edition will also be one of the major attractions of the event.

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