Shisospicy is proving quite the talent for a man used to making signings of a very different kind.
Rich Mendez, who founded the Miami-based Rich Records with his son Josh, is a relative newcomer to ownership but has quickly made waves. Mendez Sr. will not be able to attend Royal Ascot this week but is acutely aware of the significance of having a runner who rates as a fascinating outsider in the June 20 Commonwealth Cup (G1).
The 3-year-old daughter of Mitole , who had initially been bought to trade in last year's Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, has won her last three starts for trainer Jose D'Angelo, claiming the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland and then leaving scorch marks in the Churchill Downs grass in last month's Mamzelle Stakes (G3T).
Shisospicy's potential has seen the family, which run their horses under Morplay Racing, becoming partners with Qatar Racing.
"In our first year we had a colt named No More Time actually make it to the (2024 Kentucky) Derby, he had enough points and unfortunately three weeks before he had an injury and we had to scratch him," Mendez said from Florida.
"But we've had good success, we had a colt on the Derby trail again this year and we had several calls from some of the bigger outfits for Shisospicy.
"Qatar seemed like a great fit for us, they bought a piece of the filly. We didn't have a need to sell but when they brought up her going to Royal Ascot it was the opportunity to be somewhere where most don't get to go to, and compete at that level.
"We felt we had one of the best 3-year-old fillies in the country at the sprinter level, so why not let her go to Ascot and show her off to the world?"
The Puerto Rican native explains that he has long held a fascination with horses as well as an uncle who was a jockey.
Mendez would buy a property in Ocala, Florida's horse country, and his way in was by getting to know Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo, who are the United States equivalent of breeze-up consignors.
Shisospicy was initially to be one of those projects.
"We bought her as a yearling in Fasig-Tipton July," he said. "Hartley/DeRenzo helped me pick her, we liked her from the beginning. She looked fast and was working out great so we thought we'd try to sell her at the auction.
"I couldn't believe she went :09 3/5, :20 flat and then :32 (in the breeze), it was amazing what she did and when the bids didn't go where I thought they'd go, I said to Josh that we'll just keep her and take her to the races. It was the best thing for us. I always say things happen for a reason and she's taken us on a really cool ride."
Not that it particularly matters now but Mendez takes an educated guess about why they had to take her back when the filly failed to meet her reserve of $300,000 at OBS.
"I think at the time Mitole didn't have a bunch of what you'd say were big-time winners, maybe that year it was soft for him but to be honest I don't know why," he said. "You'd have thought she'd have gone for $750,000 or a million dollars with those kind of times, but you know what? I'm so happy that she didn't."
Mendez is only required elsewhere because of a close friend's wedding, but Morplay Racing, much like the music business, has been built with his family and plenty of the clan have made the trip over. Shisospicy was named by Josh when he was taken with an eponymous cocktail offered at a favorite restaurant, KYU. It's a fiery little number containing tequila and chili.
"It's that much better if you can do it together," he said.
"The best part of it is watching my grandson enjoy it as much as he does. He knows every horse we have, every name; he's very experienced at 4 years old."
Morplay Racing is also becoming a brand with the aim of democratizing the sport through slick and professional video content.
This alone is not an original concept but it is still very much in its infancy. What surely would have great potential is a crossover with the artists from Rich Records, opening a new window for racing. The label can boast a few prestigious names from the Latin hip-hop and R&B scene, and the likes of Sech and Justin Quiles have many millions of followers. Reggaeton and Royal Ascot just might mix.
"There's a lot of interest from partners I have in different ventures, even people in the music business," Mendez added.
"I saw a particular Latin artist that we've worked with that is on tour in London, last year he was at the Belmont (Stakes) and I think he's bought into a few horses.
"We're bringing a new set of eyes. My son and nephews are running everything and we're trying to bring in the younger, different generation that really doesn't know much about it. Hopefully, they can enjoy it as much as we do."
Certainly, a Royal Ascot winner would provide impetus and while Mendez is understandably bullish, there is justification. D'Angelo, whom he also describes as being part of the family, was a length off winning with his first Royal Ascot runner, Gabaldon, 12 months ago.
"I constantly ask Jose how (Shisospicy's) doing, I talk to the exercise rider and he's like, 'Man, she's floating.' We wouldn't take her over there over there if we didn't think she had a chance to win," Mendez said.
"The firmer the better for her. I think if she goes out there and just does what she does, I think she'll show that she's just a great sprinter all the way round, worldwide."
