2025 American Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding Dark Water Bay will start from post two in Sunday’s $15,812 National Día del Charro Championship at Hipódromo de las Américas.

© Luis Prieto Zamudio

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

MEXICO CITY, MEX–MARCH 5, 2026–Sunday’s program at Hipódromo de las Américas will feature nine races, including two stakes events: the $15,812 National Día del Charro Championship and the $17,507 Francisco Pasquel Classic.

The afternoon begins with the $15,812 National Día del Charro Championship, where four three-year-olds with the highest earnings of the 2025 racing season will race 350 yards. The opener’s post time is approximately 2:30 PM.

Leading the field as the 6-5 morning-line favorite is Dark Water Bay, the 2025 American Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding. The Oklahoma-bred colt has been consistent in all eight of his career starts, posting three wins, four seconds, and one third.

Dark Water Bay captured victories in the Jody’s Glory Classic and the Clasico Alfredo Castro Rea. He also finished second in the John Deere Juvenile Challenge, the Prize Classic, the Juvenile Championship, and the Campeonato Juvenile.

Owned by Cuadra Alpuyeca, Dark Water Bay has earned $82,263. He was purchased for $77,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale. He is by Mr Jess Perry and out of Aqua Girl by Corona Cartel. Trainer Antonio Garcia Carranza saddles the colt from post two with jockey Heriberto Camacho aboard.

The first race of the day is expected to draw strong interest as the top-earning three-year-olds compete for the National Día del Charro Championship title.

The second feature race on the card is the $17,507 Francisco Pasquel Classic. Mexico-bred runners three-years-old and older will sprint the extremely short distance of 110 yards.

Cherry Jabuti enters as the 1-1 morning-line favorite. The four-year-old filly is known for her quick break from the gates and set the 250-yard track record in 2024 during the trials for the Merrigo Futurity. During her three-year-old season, she won all four of her starts, giving her seven lifetime victories and earnings of $34,307 for Cuadra Cartas Blancas.

Cherry Jabuti is by Jabuti Eagle SA and out of T Cherry Rose by Tailor This. She was bred in Mexico by Salome Gallegos. Trainer Jorge Alberto Ruiz Periban sends her out from the outside post five with jockey Huberclein Gomez in the saddle.

Force A Deal will start from post four at 9-2 odds. She is also known for her quick speed from the gates, highlighted by a 110-yard victory last year in a time of of:06.90. During the 2025 season, she finished in the top three in all ten starts. With four career victories, she has earned $22,586 for Cuadra Las Vegas.

Force A Deal is by Sky Force and out of Easy Winning First by Deefirst. She was bred in Mexico by Anjora Corp. Trainer Angel Gustavo Magdaleno prepares the filly with jockey Arturo Vega Moreno set to ride.

With champions and proven speed lining up in both stakes, Sunday’s card promises an exciting afternoon of racing for fans at Hipódromo de las Américas.

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