October 16, 1998
There's a definite nip in the air. It's getting darker, earlier. The new television series have begun. Christmas is just around the corner. The time has come to bid farewell to the 1998 frontier bullfight season and to look forward to another sad fall and winter, without toros.
And, as he has been traditional, we close the temporada, this Sunday, in Plaza El Toreo de Tijuana, with the annual Ear of Gold corrida, in which proceeds are donated to the matador's hospital fund. Six matadors will face one bull apiece, in competition for the golden ear trophy. And, this year's card is sensational.
Heading the card is Antonio Urrutia, whose last Tijuana appearance was disastrous. It can be assumed that Urrutia will be especially anxious to redeem himself. That is, if he plans to continue his career. There will be a lot of pressure on Antonio Urrutia.
The balance of the card includes Mario del Olmo, Federico Pizarro, Fernando Ochoa, El Zapata, and César Castañeda, who will face a herd of reportedly mature and heavy bulls from the Cucopeña ranch.
Del Olmo is a brilliant young torero, who is seeking to be recognized as a true figura. Pizarro is a figura-in-waiting, a rather emotional, young torero who is making a comeback, following a near-fatal goring. To date, he has not lived up to his potential, so it can be assumed that he, too, will be under intense pressure to demonstrate that he is a future great.
A lot of attention is focused on
Fernando Ochoa, a young man who has demonstrated this season,
that he is destined to become one of the true masters of La Fiesta
Brava. With cape and muleta, he has demonstrated a degree of talent
and integrity that are the hallmarks of only the very best of
his profession. He is managed by another master retired matador
Joselito Huerta, who performed so very well during the Oct. 4
festival in Plaza Monumental de Tijuana.
El Zapata is a very courageous torero who appeals to both serious and hedonistic aficionados. Although he clowns around a lot, he is capable of deep artistry, especially with the muleta.
And César Castañeda, who received his alternativa this season, is looking to become recognized as a genuine star-on-the-rise. It must be assumed that he is the reason that another Tijuanense, "Mayito," was not included on the card. There's a new kid in town, and the artistry-challenged Mayito, whose talents have never translated to anything resembling future greatness, has been forced into a back seat position, with Castañeda in the driver's seat. The situation also demonstrated the maturation of Tijuana aficionados, who is previous seasons, enthusiastically applauded the rather tremendistic Mayito.
A potential highlight of the afternoon is expected to be the banderillas competition among Urrutia, El Zapata and Castañeda.
The action begins at 4 p.m. with a large crowd anticipated.
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