Volcánico (IRE) wins the Premio Torre Arias

Volcánico (IRE) winner of the Gran Criterium last year, won today the Premio Torre Arias, a 1,400 m race for colts in La Zarzuela, traditional trial for the Premio Cimera (Spanish 2,000 Guineas), over a very heavy going. Barking was first for most of the way and stayed well advanced the home stretch, and Volcanico had to fight hard to beat Barking and resist the final charge of Cielo Canarias.

Cielo Canarias (IRE) [Exceed and Excel-Summer Dance(Sadler's Wells)] was second, with Sergei (IRE) [Gulch-Seasonal Style(Generous)] third and Barking (IRE) [Bahri-Pivot-d'Amour(Pivotal)] fourth.
Volcánico [Refuse to Bend-Zayana(Darshaan)]is owned by Cuadra Los Toneles and trained by Francisco Rodríguez and was ridden by Julien Grosjean.

Volcánico (number 2) beating Cielo Canarias (5). Photo courtesy of cortacabeza.wordpress.com

Here is the race: Premio Torre Arias 2011. Volcánico: dark blue body with yellow epaulettes, yellow cap.

Meanwhile, in the first race, a 1,800 m maiden race for colts, the winner was Arnuero (GB, 2008) [Sakhee-Penang Pearl(Bering)] half brother to none other than Harbinger, the highest rated horse in the world in 2010. It was the second start (after a second place last year) for this bay colt, owned by Cuadra Bering, trained by M. Delcher S. and ridden by Borja Fayos.