BR Chago Heads the Mexican Bred Derby Challenge on Sunday

A field of 10 Mexican-bred 3-year-olds will line up Sunday in the $57,330 XII Derby Desafío Crianza Mexicana at Hipódromo de las Américas.

Carded as the ninth race, the 350-yard Derby is restricted to Mexican-bred Quarter Horses that met the nomination and eligibility requirements established through the XL Subasta Selecta. The finalists earned their berths through qualifying trials contested August 9.

BR Chago, the 5-2 morning-line favorite from post 4, enters the final off back-to-back victories for owner Cuadra Bronco Rider. The 3-year-old gelding has won four of nine career starts with two seconds and earnings of approximately $55,680. He has won two of four starts this season.

Bred in Mexico by Maximiliano Perez C, BR Chago is by Jess Lips, a son of Mr Jess Perry, and out of Ocean Glory, by Ocean Runaway. Cesar Garcia Serrano trains, and Huberclein Gomez has the riding assignment Sunday.

BR Chago delivered one of his strongest performances of the season in the June 28 Derby Subasta Selecta, winning the 400-yard final by a length over KC Shes Cartel. He returned in the August 9 Derby Desafío Crianza Mexicana trials and drew away to a three-length victory in :17.55, earning an 87 speed index and the fastest qualifying time.

Breaking immediately to BR Chago's outside from post 10 is second choice El Agravio RCH at 3-1. Racing for Cuadra El Tormento, he has won three of eight career starts with two seconds and one third. His career earnings are approximately $27,010.

Rodolfo Chavez Terrazas bred El Agravio RCH in Mexico. The son of Extremely Defining, by Corona Cartel, is out of La Turbina RCH, by Rabbits Rainbow. Cesar Garcia Serrano trains, and Juan Diego Márquez will ride.

El Agravio RCH is undefeated in two starts this season. Following a one-length allowance victory at 220 yards March 22, he returned from nearly five months away to win his August 9 trial by 1 1/2 lengths. He completed the 350 yards in :17.62 with an 85 speed index, defeating KC Shes Krash and El Nino De Blanco. As a 2-year-old, he was a multiple stakes finalist.

Mi Krash Favorito, the 7-2 third choice from post 6, brings the richest bankroll among the three morning-line favorites into the final. Owned by Cuadra San Martin, the gelding has compiled a 5-2-1 career record from 16 starts with earnings of approximately $58,130. He is 2-for-7 this season.

Bred in Mexico by Abelardo Gallegos Fernandez, Mi Krash Favorito is by Krash Cartel, a son of Corona Cartel, and out of Estrella De Noche, by Favorite Cartel. Luis Enrique Cruz Solis trains, with Angel Santillan named to ride Sunday.

Mi Krash Favorito was a finalist in the Derby Garanones and Derby Subasta Selecta, earlier this season. Returning to 350 yards for his latest start, Mi Krash Favorito won his August 9 trial heat by three-quarters of a length in :17.73 with an 82 speed index.

The races at Hipodromo de las Americas can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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