Memorial Duque de Alburquerque this Sunday in Madrid

The meeting of this Sunday in the La Zarzuela racetrack of Madrid will feature the first edition of the Premio Memorial Duque de Alburquerque, a 2,100 m race for 4 y/o+ that will have in this inaugural running a field of 9 horses that includes two Spanish Derby winners (Domeside and Plantagenet), the winner of the Gran Premio Ciudad de Madrid and the Gran Premio Memorial Duque de Toledo of 2010 (Karluv Most), the winner of the Mijas Cup 2010 (Nelson Groom) and Señor Miranda, placed in the Derby 2010, the Villamejor (St. Leger), the Memorial Duque de Toledo, etc.

Domeside (GB), winner of the Premio Villapadierna (Derby) in 2009, was injured after that race to reappear this winter. He has showed some proggression in his last starts, winning the last one, Premio Caballo Ganador de Renfe a race sharing a good number of partants with the race of this Sunday. Owned by Cuadra SafSaf, trained by M. Delcher S., will be ridden by Julien Grosjean. Risquillo (FR), second by 2 lengths in that, carried 4 more kg than Domeside and will carry the same weight now. He is owned by Cuadra El Risquillo, trained by A. Carrasco and will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Domeside (GB) (right) and Risquillo (FR) in the Premio Caballo Ganador de Renfe, April 3rd 2011. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


Plantagenet (SPA, 2007) won the Premio Villapadierna (Video) in 2010 but then he didn't enter the starting gates in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián in the summer and, although he won the prep race for the Memorial Duque de Toledo, he failed in the big race, so his true potential is somewhat uncertain. This will be his awaited seasonal debut. Owned by Cuadra Whylar, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego.

Karluv Most (FR) also reappears after his winter rest. His last race was his win in the Memorial Duque de Toledo (what we may call the Spanish "Arc"): See video here: Memorial Duque de Toledo 2010. Owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Señor Miranda (GB) reappeared some weeks ago, clearly beaten by Domeside and Risquillo, among other. He is owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez and will be ridden by Borja Fayos.

Nelson Groom (FR) seems not to be in good form for now.
Other partants are Diamante Blanco (SPA), unplaced in one start, Duke (GER) who beat Domeside in the winter at Dos Hermanas in a 2,800 race and stable companion to Karluv Most, Porquenotecallas (IRE), trained by J. M. Osorio (in a winning streak)