Official ratings (III): Ercolini (IRE), Plantagenet (SPA), Pazifiksturm (GER)

The filly Ercolini (2007, IRE) (Pyrus-Bajan Belle) is the highest rated 3 year old of 2010 in the classification issued by the Spanish handicappers. Owned by Reza Pazooki and trained by Francisco Rodríguez, Ercolini won the Premio Atlántida and the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas) in La Zarzuela, Madrid in the spring. Here is the Premio Valderas: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xd2pu9_sport (white body with blue spots, white and blue sleeves, white cap).

She also ran in France being second in the Prix Bagatelle (Listed race) and unplaced in the Gr. 3 Prix Leiurey in Deauville (in August).

At two (2009), Ercolini had been third in the Prix Miesque (France, Gr. 3) and won the Premio Carlos Sobrino (main race for 2 yo fillies in autumn).

Ercolini after winning the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas). Photo courtesy of cortacabeza.wordpress

Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) a chestnut colt by Trade Fair and Crafty Buzz, owned by Cuadra Plantagenet, trained by G. Arizcorreta and bred by Dehesa de Milagro is, along with Pazifiksturm (GER), the highest rated 3 year old colt in Spain. He has been always ridden by J.L. Borrego.

He won the Premio Nacional (2,200 m for Spanish breds) and the (Premio Villapadierna) Video in the spring. (Plantagenet's jockey: black body with red spots, black sleeves, red cap)

He refused to enter the starting gates in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (August 7th, 2,400 m 3yo+) in San Sebastián and in the fall, back in Madrid, although he ran well and won a prep race for the Memorial Duque de Toledo he finished a disappointing 7th in the Memorial (what we may call the Spanish "Arc", 2,400 m 3 y/o +). Whether he had a bad day or the hard pace tested his stamina remains to be seen in his next starts.


Pazifiksturm (GER, 2007) (Samum-La Parabol), a chestnut colt, owned by Cuadra Martul and trained by Ana Imaz, has had a proggressive campaign. He was fifth in the Spanish Derby, second to Bannaby in the Copa de Oro, then he won the Prix Soledad de Moratalla in France (Tarbes) and finally he won the Premio Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger, 2,800 m, 3 y/o). He was born in May and consequently may still show more progress.

Here is the Copa de Oro de San Sebastian (2,400 3yo+):
http://www.pasionporelturf.es/CarrerasDiferido.aspx?id=159. Plantagenet refused to enter the gates and Pazifiksturm made Gr. 1 winner Bannaby work to win the Copa de Oro in a thrilling finish. Pazifiksturm colors: body with green and black hoops, white sleeves, white cap

Pazifiksturm also has this collection of photos in youtube