Fortino battled with Mi Elegido through the final furlong before prevailing by a short head at the wire to win the G3 Pr. Alvaro Covarrubias Pardo at Club Hipico de Santiago in Chile on Friday, 13 May.
It was the second Graded/Group Stakes win for the two-year-old Midshipman colt, who captured the G3 Clasico Seleccion de Potrillos in March. The chestnut colt, who also boasts a runner-up finish in the G3 Cotejo de Potrillos, improved his record to three wins and a second-place finish in four career starts.
Breaking alertly from the rail in the 1600-meter turf contest, Fortino went immediately to the lead. Hot on his heels in second was Ichuac, with Mi Elegido tracking them from third. As the field entered the sweeping turn, Fortino was still in front, but Mi Elegido took advantage of an opening along the rail to shoot through and take the lead as the runners hit the 1000-meter mark.
Fortino’s jockey, Jorge Gonzalez, was content to let Mi Elegido have the lead, and kept Fortino within striking distance as they rounded the turn and entered the home straight. Fortino was then asked for more and he responded, ranging up alongside Mi Elegido with about a furlong left to run. The pair then battled through the stretch, with Fortino eventually getting his head down at the wire to post the victory.
Fortino was bred in Chile by his owner, Haras Don Alberto, and is out of the winning Fusaichi Pegasus mare, Farreras.
Midshipman’s 17% career Black Type horses from starters continues to be among the best in the business. In addition to Fortino, Midshipman is also represented this year by Royal Ship, winner of Santa Anita’s Listed John Shear Mile in April.
Midshipman is standing the 2022 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $10,000, stands and nurses.
