El Ilusionista Sr powers home late under jockey Nestor Duran to capture the $65,000 Garanones Derby on Sunday at Hipódromo de las Américas.

© Miguel Angel Espinoza / Hipodromo de Las Américas

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

MEXICO CITY, MX—MAY 3, 2026—El Ilusionista Sr captured his second derby victory of the 2026 season with a determined effort in the $65,000 Garanones Derby at Hipódromo de las Américas on Sunday,

Ridden by regular rider Nestor Duran, El Ilusionista Sr covered the 350 yards in 17.25 seconds, earning $27,300 for the victory. The top three qualifiers from the April 19 trials returned to sweep the trifecta in the final, with Dk Lisboa Cartel finishing second and Dk El Canelo third.

“He didn’t break very sharp from the gate but I just let him go,” said Duran. “Whenever we got away, I asked him and he responded and just took off.”

Breaking from the gate as the heavy favorite, El Ilusionista Sr did not leave cleanly but quickly gathered momentum under jockey Nestor Duran. Once in stride, the gelding surged forward and separated from his rivals late to secure the win. He posted a strong performance over the Mexico City surface, adding another major stakes to his resume.

Owned by champion owner Cuadra San Martin and conditioned by champion trianer Luis Enrique Cruz Solis, El Ilusionista Sr now holds a record of nine wins from 12 starts with total earnings of $142,000. Bred by Rancho Santa Rosa Chiapas, the son of Swingin Good Reason is out of the Valiant Hero mare Muscles Diablo.

The victory marked a return to form after his six-race winning streak was halted in the trials. That streak included wins in the Mexico Breeders’ Futurity, the Mexico Breeders Futurity Challenge Consolation, and the Garanones Futurity Consolation last year, along with the Mexico Derby earlier this season.

Reflecting on the trial effort, Duran added, “In the trials, I wasn’t really trying to win. I could feel that he was going fast and it wasn’t necessary to get him tired. I wanted to save him for the finals.”

When asked what is next for El Ilusionista Sr, Duran said the gelding will get a rest. He added that Rey De Manny, last year’s Mexican Triple Crown winner, is expected back for the next Derby, and Duran plans to ride him.

Runner-up Dk Lisboa Cartel delivered another consistent effort under jockey Horacio Sosa to complete the exacta. The filly is also owned by Cuadra San Martin and conditioned by Luis Enrique Cruz Solis.

Bred by Cuadra La Presita, the daughter of Danny Cartel is out of the Favorite Cartel mare Rumor Goin Round. Dk Lisboa Cartel has now hit the board in seven of nine starts, compiling four wins and three seconds while earning $34,000. She was previously a finalist in both the Mexico Derby and Mexico Futurity.

Dk El Canelo, the fastest qualifier from the trials, finished third for owner Cuadra 3 Reyes and trainer Joel Mujica Sarubbi. Arturo Vega Moreno guided the colt in the final.

Also bred by Cuadra La Presita, the son of Danny Cartel, out of the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Paint Me Golden. Dk El Canelo holds a record of three wins, one second, and three thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $53,000. His past efforts include a third-place finish in the Mexico Breeders Challenge and a finalist appearance in last year’s Mexico Breeders Futurity Consolation.

With the top three trial qualifiers confirming their class in the final, the Garanones Derby once again showcased the strength and depth of this crop of 3-year-olds competing at Hipódromo de las Américas.

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