AJ Sweet Angel and jockey Alejandro Gómez López captured the 2026 Javier Rosique Palavicini Classic at Hipódromo de México

© Miguel Angel Espinoza / Hipodromo de Las Américas

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

MEXICO CITY, MEX–MAY 31, 2026–AJ Sweet Angel returned to familiar stakes territory for Cuadra Alpuyeca, stretching out late to win the 2026 Javier Rosique Palavicini Classic at Hipódromo de México on Sunday afternoon.

The five-year-old gelding, who also won the race in 2024, covered 300 yards in 15.11 seconds under jockey Alejandro Gómez López and earned 50 percent of the purse, which totaled more than $14,000.

A son of Apollitical Jess, AJ Sweet Angel dug in at the wire to finish ahead of Apollitical Spanish, who entered the race undefeated at the Hipódromo de México. The chestnut gelding is trained by Antonio García Carranza and was bred in the United States by Rancho El Cabresto Inc.out of Taka Puna by Fishers Dash.

The victory improved AJ Sweet Angel’s record to five wins and two seconds from 11 starts with $26,500 in earnings. The multiple stakes winner was second in the Velocidad Classic earlier this season and finished fourth in the Derby Las Americas in 2024.

Apollitical Spanish finished second under Huberclein Gomez, ending his two-race winning streak that included the Maiden Stakes earlier this season. Trainer Cesar Garcia Serrano saddled the lightly raced colt for owner Rancho La 19.

Also by Apollitical Jess, Apollitical Spanish is out of the Corona Cartel mare Spanish Cartel. Bred in the United States by Armando Leon, $24,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate has earned nearly $20,000.

CCB Rich Ranch Boy, coming off his victory in last month’s Easily A Possum Classic, finished third under Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. The Corona Cartel colt has been on the board in every start, with four wins from seven outings and earnings of $29,000.

Bred in the United States by Double Bar S Ranch, CCB Rich Ranch Boy is out of Budder Than Every by Strawflyin Buds. Trainer Jorge Alberto Ruiz Periban conditions the $30,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate for owner Cuadra Cartas Blancas.

CCB Rich Ranch Boy’s resume also includes a third-place finish in last year’s Champion of Champions Juvenile, along with honors as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.

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