Stratvs Canarias wins the Handicap Opcional

Stratvs Canarias (IRE, 2009) [Soviet Star-Hetayaat(Sinndar)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León and ridden by J. Crocquevieille, won the Handicap Opcional (1,600 m, 3yo, 9,000 euros for the winner), beating Otro Gintonic (GB, 2009) [Trade Fair-Nuit Sans Fin(Lead on Time)] by 3/4 of a length, with Castellana (SPA, 2009) [Yorik-Fellinia(War Chant)], third and Esgues (SPA, 2009) [Dyhim Diamond] fourth.

Stratvs Canarias (Soviet Star) and Jeremy Crocquevieille, winners of the Handicap Opcional. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

Carrying the top weight, Stratvs Canarias won almost wire to wire, taking the lead soon after the start and holding off the final attack of Otro Gintonic. The first two left the third in the post our lengths behind. This is the second win in two starts for Stratvs Canarias.

Here is the race: Handicap Opcional 2012


Meneldor (IRE, 2008) [Barathea-Cartesian(Shirley Heights)], owned by Gonzalo Hernando-Aboin, trained by A. Carrasco and ridden by F. Jiménez won the Premio Fernán Núñez (2,200 m, 4yo, Handicap), beating Royal Imari (Royal Academy) and Ramallah (Federal Trial). Video of Premio Fernán Núñez 2012


In the 1,600 m race for debutant 3yo fillies, Premio Cruzcampo, the winner was Ketala (FR, 2009) [Gold Away-Afriketa(Desert Story)], owned by Cuadra LAC international, trained by J. López and ridden by Marco Secci, who caught Hello Snow (Gold Away) in the final strides with a strong finish, with Chatarrilla (Sinndar) third. Afriketa, the dam of Ketala, won the Benítez de Lugo, at three, beating Jade, Guadalmedina and Johanie Cara, among others

Here is the video: Premio Cruzcampo

The equivalent race for colts, Premio El Corte Ingles, was won by Kadmios (FR, 2009) [Kavafi-Eriza(Distant Relative)], owned by Cuadra Nakata and trained and ridden by J.L. Martínez. Riky Rock (Fantastic Light) was second and Jokan (Zamindar), was third. Video: Premio El Corte Inglés


In the other two races, a split handicap over 1,800 m, 4yo+, the winners were Jakemate (Denver County) in the first part and Bailongo (Egeo), in the second part. They are both products of Shiva (Policy Matter)

Nekkar, a 2yo filly by Caradak, wins in the USA

Nekkar (FR, 2009), a bay filly by Caradak and Imperiossa(Imperial Ballet), won yesterday a 1,100 maiden race at the Calder racetrack (Florida), in her second start.

This is the fourth winner out of seven runners in the first crop of Caradak, the Gr. 1 winner who stands at the Dehesa Milagro and the first product of Caradak to win out of Spain. The other winners of Caradak are the unbeaten Matusalen and Fearside and Plenipotenciario.

Nekkar's dam, Imperiossa (IRE, 2004), won in her first start in Spain, to be unplaced in her second and last start (Premio Valderas - 1,000 Guineas) and is half sister to Afriketa, winner of the Premio Benítez de Lugo (the top race for fillies in the autumn).

Source:http://www.revistagrupouno.com/?p=5448

Clunia (IRE) returns in the Premio Atlántida

Clunia (IRE, 2008) [Silent Times-Doohulla(Stravinsky)], the best 2 y/o filly of 2010 in Spain, trained by G. Villarta, ownd by Cuadra Brazacorta and ridden by Borja Fayos, will reappear after her winter rest in the Premio Atlántida, a 1,400 m race for 3 y/o fillies, traditional prep race for the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas), this Sunday in the La Zarzuela racecourse (Madrid).

Clunia. Photo courtesy of cortacabeza.wordpress.com

Clunia will face 7 rivals, including Queenside (USA) [Leroidesanimaux-Bragadocious], owned by Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher Sánchez, already winner this year in Mijas and second to Clunia in the Premio Carlos Sobrino and Sinapsis (GB) [Sinndar-Russian Beauty] owned by R. Cocheteaux and trained by J. M. Osorio. Also partants: Carioka (SPA) [Devil Moon], Azamor (SPA) [Slickly], Bucovina (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond], Pichuca (GB) [Silent Times] and Figueira da Foz (SPA) [Baptize]

Winners of this race in recent years have been Ercolini (2010), Wega (2009), Doraq (2008), Casbah (2007) and Afriketa (2006)