Gulfstream to host 2017 Clasico Internacional del Caribe

Edited Press Release

The Confederation of Caribbean Racetracks made an historic announcement Friday, unanimously approving Gulfstream Park as host of the 2017 Clasico Internacional del Caribe – the premier Thoroughbred racing event in the Caribbean – at the Confederation's mid-year meeting at Gulfstream Park.

Representatives of The Stronach Group and Confederation were to meet Friday afternoon to work on further details of hosting the December 2017 event.

Gulfstream will become the first pari-mutuel facility outside Latin America and the Caribbean to host the Clasico Internacional del Caribe since its inception in 1966. The event includes five races with total purses of $600,000, including the $300,000 Caribbean Derby.

"Gulfstream has been approved to host the Clasico here in 2017," Confederation President Hugo Albarran said through an interpreter Friday afternoon. "It's historical. It's the first time in 50 years the race will be held in a country that's not a member (of the Confederation). We're very happy with The Stronach Group. We'll make Florida part of Latin America.

"This will help us grow and guarantees the Clasico is successful. It started as a $30,000 race. Then $50,000, then $100,000. Now all five races are at $600,000. It's the biggest purse for any day of Latin America racing."

Albarran and The Stronach Group's Mike Rogers and Tim Ritvo said quarantine issues and travel logistics have been worked out with the United States Department of Agriculture.

During the Confederation's Friday morning meeting, Rogers and Ritvo spoke about The Stronach Group's passion for horse racing and its ability to hold world-class events at its venues. They also spoke of their desire to showcase Latin American racing to a wider audience.

"We believe the opportunity to showcase your product is something that will be beneficial to all the countries in involved," Ritvo said. "We believe running this world-class event, along with our passion for horse racing and the dedication to the international Thoroughbred industry by our founder, Mr. Frank Stronach, will enhance and entice people to watch and bet on your product.

"Rest assured, The Stronach Group will be 100 percent committed to throwing a world-class event and showing off your horse racing to the entire world."