Dk Crystal Favorite Noses Out CC First Dance in Dramatic Las Americas Derby Finish

MEXICO CITY, MEX–JULY 22, 2025—In one of the tightest finishes of the season, Dk Crystal Favorite surged late to edge out CC First Dance by a nose in Sunday’s $15,800 Las Americas Derby at Hipódromo de las Américas. Just a neck behind them was CC Regal Jack, completing a dramatic three-horse photo finish.

Ridden by Alejandro Gomez, Dk Crystal Favorite unleashed a furious rally in the final strides to get up just in time, denying a hard-fought effort from CC First Dance, who had battled for the lead throughout. CC Regal Jack, sharp from the break, held the early advantage but faded slightly late in a tightly bunched blanket finish. The trio finished 3¾ lengths ahead of the rest of the field.

The California-bred filly stopped the clock in :19.73 seconds over 400 yards, earning a 93 speed index and returning $2.55 to win.

Trained by Ashley Cirilo, Dk Crystal Favorite has now hit the board in all seven career starts, boasting a record of 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third. Sunday’s victory pushed her earnings past $57,500, with $7,900 added from the Las Americas Derby.

She entered the race off a win in the Adequan Derby Challenge on June 22. Earlier this season, she finished third in the Chirina Glorys Classic and runner-up in the Juvenile Championship during her 2024 campaign.

By leading sire Favorite Cartel, Dk Crystal Favorite is out of Corona Crystal, and was bred in California by La Presita LLC and LJM Ranch Inc. She races for Cuadra La Presita.

CC First Dance, ridden by Huberclein Gomez, gave a gritty performance but was denied in the final jump. The First Dinastia filly has compiled a solid résumé, now with 8 wins from 14 starts and over $93,000 in earnings for owner Rancho Las Gaviotas.

She came into the Las Americas Derby off a win in the Subasta Selecta Derby in June and had previously finished fifth in the Mexico Derby and eighth in the Garanones Derby.

Stablemate CC Regal Jack, under Mario Alberto Lopez Marmolejo, led early and battled gamely but finished third. The A Regal Choice gelding had placed second behind CC First Dance in the Subasta Selecta Derby and was fourth in the Mexico Derby. His updated record is 3 wins, 4 seconds, and 2 thirds from 15 starts, with earnings now over $41,000.

Both CC First Dance and CC Regal Jack were bred in Mexico by Carlos Espinoza and are trained by Marlon Quezada for Rancho Las Gaviotas. CC First Dance is out of Dance With Jessies by Corona Cartel, while CC Regal Jack is out of Jumpn Jackie by Jumpn.

My Lady Tempting, Dk Tormenta One, and Shesa Classy Chica completed the field.

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