Already Favorite rallies from last to post the fastest qualifying time in Sunday’s $32,000 The Prize Classic Stakes trials at Hipodromo de las Americas.

© Luis Prieto Zamudio

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

MEXICO CITY, MX–APRIL 5, 2026– Two trials were held Sunday at Hipodromo de las Americas for the $32,000 The Prize Classic Stakes, with ten two-year-olds bred in the United States advancing to the April 26 final. The top three fastest qualifiers all emerged from the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale.

With José Eduardo González aboard, Already Favorite topped the qualifiers list, winning his heat in 15.544 seconds for 300 yards with an 80 speed index. Ten two-year-olds will return for the April 26 final.

The colt did not make things easy on himself at the start, he broke last, then gathered momentum quickly and rolled past the field in the final strides. Already Favorite drew clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Cv Star Spririt and stamp himself as the fastest of the day.

He races for Cuadra Los Chivos and is trained by Luis Nieto. The $30,000 purchase at the 2025 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale was bred in the United States by Grant Farms, LLC. Already Favorite is by Favorite Cartel and out of Shes Already Famous, by Mr Jess Perry.

Qs Smooth As Silk delivered a more measured trip in the opening trial. The gelding broke in fourth, stayed within striking range, and took over when the field straightened for home.

Ridden by Juan Eloy Pineda, he edged clear late to win by a half-length over MW Caliente Corona in 15.584 seconds, securing the second-fastest time of the afternoon.

Qs Smooth As Silk is owned by Cuadra Alpuyeca and trained by Antonio Garcia. A $70,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate, he was bred in the United States by Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP. The son of leading sire Apollitical Jess is out of Silk And Stilettos, by Favorite Cartel,

Mw Caliente Corona chased that rival home in the same trial and earned the third-fastest qualifying mark under Alejandro Gomez. He was leading early and remained a factor throughout, but could not quite match the winner late, finishing a half-length behind in 15.649 seconds.

The gelding also races for owner Cuadra Alpuyeca and trainer Antonio Garcia, giving the connections a strong hand heading into the final. The son of Corona Cartel brought $30,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. Mw Caliente Corona was bred by Larry Marcum and Nancy Wells out of Ms Tesla Jess, by FDD Dynasty,

All of The Prize Classic qualifiers were making their career debuts. The top two converted those efforts into victories, while the other eight showed up enough to return to the final later this month. CLICK HERE for the complete list of qualifiers.

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