Puerto Rico

Hernandez, Donis Ride First Winners

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• March 10, 2016
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

Apprentice jockeys Carlos Hernandez and Alvaro Donis recorded their first career victories Thursday at Gulfstream Park.

Father-Son Jockey Duo Competes at Gulfstream

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• July 16, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

When Andy and Harry Hernandez suited up for the third race July 16 at Gulfstream Park, the five-furlong turf event became more about family and less about competition.

Apprentice Cancel Guides in First U.S. Winner

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• March 8, 2015
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

Apprentice jockey Eric Cancel tallied his first victory in the United States when riding Acclaimed Racing Stable's Little Baker to victory March 8 in the third race at Gulfstream Park.

Cool Coal Man Has First Winner in Puerto Rico

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• May 27, 2014
• Thoroughbred Breeding, Southeast Region

Grade II winner Cool Coal Man was represented by his first winner as a stallion when his juvenile daughter Valery Stripe won the third race at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico May 24.

Mercado Guides First Winner in Riding Debut

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• March 22, 2014
• Thoroughbred Racing, Southeast Region

Apprentice jockey Wilnell Mercado got his first winner aboard his first career mount when guiding Times Are Tough to a neck victory in the fifth race at Calder Casino & Race Course March 22.

My Wandy's Girl Fights for Fritchie Score

• By Claire Novak
• February 22, 2014
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

My Wandy's Girl missed taking last year's edition of the Barbara Fritchie (gr. II) by three-quarters of a length at Laurel Park, but this season she would not be denied.

Little Separates Apprentice Jockey Contenders

• By Jack Shinar
• January 13, 2014
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Mid-Atlantic Region

Statistically speaking, there's little separating jockeys Victor Carrasco, Manuel Franco, and Edgard Zayas, the three Puerto Rican-born finalists for the 2013 Eclipse Award as outstanding apprentice rider.

On Location: Hipodromo Camarero, Puerto Rico

• October 21, 2013
• International

Recently I had the opportunity to visit Hipodromo Camarero Thoroughbred race track in Puerto Rico. Here is a recap of the trip with over 30 photos! read blog

Puerto Rican Jockey Legend Matos Dead at 91

• By Claire Novak
• February 20, 2013
• Thoroughbred Racing, International

Former jockey Mateo Matos, the regular rider of Puerto Rican Triple Crown winner Camarero, died in Puerto Rico Feb. 19. He was 91 years old.

My Wandy's Girl Wheels Back in Gazelle

• By Claire Novak
• November 21, 2012
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

Nine days after My Wandy's Girl won the Pentelis Stakes in her introduction to racing in the continental 48 states, her connections will wheel her back for a stiffer test -- the $350,000 Gazelle Stakes.

Graded Winner Gaff Sires First Winner

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• July 10, 2012
• Thoroughbred Breeding, Southeast Region

Gaff, a multiple graded stakes winner and an Irish stakes winner,sired his first winner when his 2-year-old daughter Nilsa M won by 5 1/2 lengths in her first start.

Sportech Partners With Evangeline, Camarero

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• April 5, 2012
• International, Southwest Region

Sportech launched several initiatives, including a Spanish-language wagering website for Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico and advance deposit wagering through Evangeline Downs & Casino in Louisiana.

Youbet Expands International Offerings

• March 27, 2009
• Handicapping

Youbet.com has signed three agreements that will enable its members to watch and wager on racing from South Africa, Sweden, additional tracks in the United Kingdom, and Puerto Rico, providing nearly 24-hour-a-day racing coverage.

Smarty Jones' First Winner

• July 13, 2008
• Thoroughbred Breeding, International, Kentucky

Champion and dual classic winner Smarty Jones came through with his first winner July 11.

'Dorado' Tops OBS Session

• By Deirdre B. Biles
• January 17, 2008
• Thoroughbred Sales, Southeast Region

Puerto Rican champ Leyenda Dorado sold for $50,000 on the second day of the OBS winter mixed sale.

Apprentice Cedeno Tries Aqueduct

• November 29, 2007
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

Apprentice Carol Cedeno has already made her presence known this year at Philadelphia Park and the Meadowlands. The 19-year-old is now tackling Aqueduct, and got off to a quick start opening day of the inner track meet by winning two races on Nov. 28.

Racing System in Puerto Rico Approved for Gaming

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• June 10, 2004

Legislation to authorize gaming through the El Comandante Racetrack and Off-Track Betting Agency system in Puerto Rico has been approved by the government, said Equus Gaming Co., a partnership with Thoroughbred and entertainment interests in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico's El Comandante to Get VLTs

• June 9, 2004

The Puerto Rican government has granted approval for up to 6,000 video lottery terminals to be placed at El Comandante Racetrack in San Juan and its approximately 700 off-track betting outlets on the island.

'Battery' Jockey Banished from Philly Park

• By Linda Dougherty
• March 10, 2004

A Commonwealth Court judge has affirmed an order by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission that upholds the ejection of jockey Orlando Bocachica from the grounds of Philadelphia Park after he admitted to using a battery on numerous occasions during morning training hours, but not during an actual race.

My Own Business Repeats in El Comandante Stakes

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• December 8, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing, International

Venezuelan super horse My Own Business won the international $100,000 Copa Confraternidad, part of the Caribbean Series that is taking part at El Comandante Racetrack in Puerto Rico.

Caribbean Series Showcases Best in Five Countries

• By Kristin Ingwell Goode
• November 21, 2002
• Thoroughbred Racing, International

Five countries will join forces on Dec. 7 and 8 for the Caribbean Series 2002. Horses and trainers from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela will converge at El Comandante Racetrack for four races featuring horses from each country.

Puerto Rican Sire Virtua Cop Gets First Winner

• April 14, 2002
• Thoroughbred Breeding

First crop Puerto Rican-sire Virtua Cop was represented by his first winner when Maria Rachel won a five furlong maiden race by 1 1/2 lengths on Friday at El Comandante.

Homeister Makes History in Puerto Rico; Wins Clasico del Caribe

• December 10, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing

Calder-based jockey Rosemary Homeister not only became the first female rider in Puerto Rico's Clasico de Caribe, but she also became the first of her sex to win the race when it was renewed for the 34th time Sunday at El Comandante Racetrack.

Irish Open Gelding Wins Puerto Rico's Top Race for Older Horses

• December 8, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing

The Puerto Rican representative Gran Duque won the Copa Confraternidad at El Comandante Racetrack in Canovanas, Puerto Rico on Friday.

Here and There...

• December 4, 2001

Racing and breeding news and information.

Plans for Puerto Rican Track Underway

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• August 15, 2000
• International

A group operating in the name Parque Ecuestre La Esmeralda has announced plans to build a new Equestrian center, including a nine furlong racetrack, near the city of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico.