Premio Corpa this Sunday

The Sunday meeting at LZ features the Premio Corpa, a traditional 3,000 m race for 4yo+ that has big names among its winners.


There is a field of only 5 horses this year:

Entre Copas (GB, 2004), ch. gelding [Sakhee-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Horse of the Year in Spain in 2011, won this Premio Corpa last year: Premio Corpa, beating Karluv Most

Achtung (SPA, 2008), a bay colt [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)], owned by Cuadra Enalto, trained by Roberto López, will be ridden by O. Ortiz de Urbina. Winner of the Premio Villamejor (Spanish St. Leger) in 2011.

Domeside (GB, 2006), bay colt [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz(Kris)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S., will be ridden by J. Grosjean.

Casar (IRE, 2008), ch. colt [Hurricane Run-Thoroughly(Woodman)], owned by Cuadra Medreal, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Horcajada. 2nd to Achutung in the Premio Villamejor (St. Leger)

Karluv Most (FR, 2006), bay colt, [Della Francesca-La Vlatava(Grand Lodge)], owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. 2nd to Entre Copas in the 2011 running.

 Recent winners of the Premio Corpa have been: Entre Copas (2011), Bannaby (2010), Faramir (2009),
Artium (2008), Palamoss (2007) and Guadalmedina (2006).

The rest of the Sunday meeting includes:
A 1,800 m race for Spanish bred 3yo+, with the presence of Abdel (Dyhim Diamond), Doende (Wagon Master), Don Fernando Hab (Intikhab), Turrialba (Trade Fair), Baronia (Bahhare),

A 1,000 m race for Spansih bred 2yos

The two parts of a 2,100 m split handicap for 4yo+ and

A 1,600 m race for 3yo+

Volcánico (IRE) wins the Gobierno Vasco

Volcánico (IRE, 2008) [Refuse to Bend-Zayana], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by Francisco Rodríguez, ridden by Julien Grosjean won by two and a half lengths the Premio Gobierno Vasco, one of the most important mile races in the Spanish calendar, beating Bellaside (IRE, 2007) [La Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga], property of Grupo Bolaños Gran Canaria, trained by Enrique León and ridden by J L. Martínez, with As de Trébol (USA, 2006) [Tapit-Adelphi(Danzig)], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher S, with jockey Borja Fayos third and Shumookh (IRE, 2003) [Mujahid-Midway Lady] Cuadra Los Aspirantes-Dos Tumbos, trained by T. Callejo, with J. C. Cerqueira, fourth. As de Trébol led with a fast pace, with Shumookh some 3-4 lengths behind, until the home stretch. Volcánico, who was third for most of the race, catched the two frontrunners and held off easily the final charge of Bellaside.

This is a 13-minute video of the race: Premio Gobierno Vasco 2011, Lasarte racetrack. Volcánico adds this race to his impressive curriculum, winner of the Gran Criterium at 2 and winner of the Torre Arias, the GP Claudio Carudel and the Gobierno Vasco at three. He has never run above 1,600 m. The double Carudel-Gobierno Vasco represents two of the three most prestigious 1,600 m races for 3y/o+, the third being the GP Hispanidad, to be held in Madrid in October. This is the second Gobierno Vasco for jockey Julien Grosjean, winner in 2009 with Aranel.

Mil Azul (SPA) and As de Trébol (USA) win the preps for the Gobierno Vasco

Mil Azul (SPA, 2008) [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], the bay colt owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. Salas and ridden by J. L. Borrego, won this Sunday the Premio Real Sociedad de Fútbol (1,400 m, 3 yo) in the Lasarte racecourse in San Sebastián, beating the favourites Volcánico (IRE, 2008) and Don Fernando Hab, with La Llanura fourth.

Here is the race: Premio Real Sociedad de Fútbol

In the other prep race for the Premio Gobierno Vasco, the Premio Coca-Cola (1,400 m, 4yo+) , the winner was the globetrotter As de Trébol (USA, 2006) [Tapit-Adelphi(Danzig)], ridden by Borja Fayos for Cuadra Chicago and trainer M. Delcher S, with Shumookh second and Salpado third.

Some photos of this meeting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAdXdvKBR_E

Here is the race: Premio Coca-Cola

Volcánico, Don Fernando Hab, Shumookh, As de Trébol

Two races of this Sunday's meeting in San Sebastián are prep races for the Premio Gobierno Vasco (the most important mile race of the season, for 3 yo+, to be held in August 21th). In first one of these two races (Premio Real Sociedad de Fútbol), over 1,400 m, Volcánico (IRE, 2008) [Refuse to Bend-Zayana)], recent winner of the GP Claudio Carudel in Madrid, will face Don Fernando Hab (SPA,2008) [Intikhab-Flying Fulmar(Bahamian Bounty)] who beat him in their only duel so far and who comes from three wins in a row out of four starts. Volcánico will be ridden by Julien Grosjean for trainer Francisco Rodríguez and owner Cuadra Los Toneles, and J. E. Jarkovswy will ride Don Fernando Hab for Cuadra Vadillo and trainer A. Carrasco. Mil Azul (SPA, 2008) [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], El Incendio (IRE, 2008) [Clodovil-Duckmore Bay(Titus Livius)] and La Llanura (CAN, 2008) [El Prado-Herzblatt(Cozzene)] (the only filly), complete the total 5 partants.

The Premio Cocacola is que equivalent race for 4yo+ and has Shumookh (IRE, 2003) [Mujahid-Midway Lady(Alleged)] and As de Trébol (USA, 2006) as favourites. Shumookh won the Premio Gobierno Vasco last year, holding off the attack by Silverside and will try to repeat this year, beginning with this prep race. Cerqueira, as usual, will ride Shumookh, who may reach 200,000 euros in earnings in this race. Los Aspirantes are their owners and T. Callejo is his trainer. As de Trébol will be ridden by B. Fayos for Cuadra Chicago and M. Delcher S. Lince (GB, 2006, Singspiel), Makaamen (GB, 2006, Selkirk), Salpado (FR, 2006), Washita (SPA, 2007, British Open) and Zacarías (FR, 2005, Slickly) complete the field.

Don Fernando Hab keeps winning

Don Fernando Hab, (SPA, 2008) [Intikhab-Flying Fulmar(Bahamian County)], the bay colt owned by Cuadra Vadillo and trained by A. Carrasco, won his third race in 4 starts this Thursday, when he beat the also 3 yo Hands Up (FR, 2008) [Panis-Bali Bloom(Jeunne Homme)] in a 1,800 m race in a very impressive way, ridden by J. E. Jarcovsky. Convidada (IRE) was third and Cabo Cañaveral (FR) was fourth. This is the race: Premio Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales

Although he has not run in big races, Don Fernando Hab has beaten Volcánico (who then won the GP Claudio Carudel) and was a close second to Eltso (who then was second in the GP Nacional and in the Villapadierna) in his debut, the only time he lost, coming from far behind.

In the first race of the Thursday meeting, a 1,100 race for Spanish bred 2y/o, the winner was Victor's Bet (SPA, 2009) [Leadership-Marmaria(Limpid)], a bay colt trained by Yan Durepaire and owned by Victor Chandler's Cuadra BetVictor, being the first win for Victor Chandler stable. He was ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Shumookh and Don Hernando Hab won the miles

There were two races over a mile in the Sunday meeting, one for 4yo+ and the other for 3 yo.

The first one was won by Shumookh (IRE, 2003), the bay gelding owned by Cuadra Los Aspirantes-Dos Tumbos, trained by T. Callejo and ridden by J.C. Cerqueira. He won wire to wire, with Lince second and Bellaside third. Shumookh seems in good form for his third attempt to win the GP Claudio Carudel, the main mile for 3 yo+ in the spring at La Zarzuela. He was second to Silverside last year. Shumookh [Mujahid-Midway Lady] has now 31 starts with 10 wins, 14 placings and more than 190,000 euros in prize money.

Cerqueira checks his rivals aboard Shumookh. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

This is the race: Premio Patrimonio Nacional


Meanwhile, in the mile for 3 y/o, the winner was the Spanish bred Don Fernando Hab [Intikhab-Flying Fulmar], who took advantage of the movement of Volcánico (IRE) towards the stand side, losing some ground. Del Cossa (FR) was second and Volcánico, third.

Also this Sunday, two miles and first product of Caradak

Besides the Premio Beamonte, the meeting of this Sunday includes two interesting races over a mile:

The Premio Patrimonio Nacional, for 4 yo+, includes among its partants Shumookh [GB, 2003, bay gelding] [Mujahid-Midway Lady] owned by Cuadra Los Aspirantes-Dos Tumbos, trained by T. Callejo and ridden by J. C. Cerqueira and Bellaside (IRE, 2007, bay filly) [La Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga], owned by Grupo Bolaños-Gran Canaria, trained by E. León and ridden by E. León, the 2-1 of the recent Premio Andrés Covarrubias.

Suntuoso (SPA, 2005) reappears after his win in the GP de Andalucía, a 1,600 m race in the Dos Hermanas racetrack (Seville).

Guerendiain (SPA, 2007) [Dyhim Diamond-Sharp and Star], owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal and trained by J. López, has won 4 of her 5 last starts and her last 4 starts in Madrid. She will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Peñalén (GB, 2006) [King's Best-Quarter Note], a bay gelding owned by Cuadra Viguria and trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille.
Other partants are: Turrialba, Lince and Whoswithya

The 6th race, Premio Wildsun, a 1,600 m race for 3 y/o, with only 6 partants has, however, the presence of Volcánico (IRE) [Refuse to Bend-Zayana], winner of the Premio Torre Arias and best 2 y/o in 2010, who will face Dixlesio (IRE) [Ifraaj-Sabaah Elfull], winner of 3 of his last 4 outings, and second in the other, Del Cossa (FR) [Della Francesca-La Frandiere], recent winner in his third start, Don Fernando Hab (SPA) [Intikhab-Flying Fulmar], El Incendio (IRE) and Don Pablos (IRE).


In the first race, a 1,000 m race for 2 yo debutants, Fearside will be the first product of the Dehesa de Milagro stallion Caradak to race (at least in Spain). She is a bay filly by Caradak-Fear to Tread(Peintre Celebre), owned by Cuadra SafSaf and trained by F. Rodríguez.

Pichuca (GB) wins the Premio Atlántida

Pichuca (GB, 2008) [Silent Times-Milady's Pride] ridden by J. L. Borrego won this Sunday 20th the Premio Atlántida at La Zarzuela (Madrid) for trainer M. J. Pérez and owner Cuadra Pegaso. The Premio Atlántida is a 1,400 m race reserved for 3 y/o fillies. The chestnut filly took the lead early in the race and commanded until the end. Bucovina (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Spette Thon(Marathon)] was second in a late charge, with Azamor (SPA) [Slickly-Red Bravo(Red Ransom)] third and the favourite Clunia fourth. This is the second consecutive win for Pichuca, who has a two year full sister entered in the Breeze-Up sale in Madrid next Saturday. Here is the race: Premio Atlántida 2011.

In the first race, a 1,600 m for 3 y/o maidens, the winner was Happy Few [Ballingbarry-Ventolera(Gulch)] a bay colt owned by Cuadra Odisea, ridden by Alvaro Gómez and trained by I. Gómez. Flash Val (SPA, 2008) [Denver County-Lake Coinsance(Lake Coniston)] was second, with Llanes (USA) [Giant's Causeway-Coachella(Danehill)] third.

In the third race, a 1,600 m for unraced Spanish-bred 3 y/o, the winner was Eltso (SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)] owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal and trained by J. López, ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Eltso, in a thrilling finish, along with Don Fernando Hab [Intikhab] (second), caught Aljarafe in the post. Aljarafe, [Russian Blue-Noche(Night Shift)] is a half brother to Sam Winner, recent 4th in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham and Grade 2 winner in hurdles last November.
Here is the race: Premio Cría Nacional


Meanwhile, the sixth race was the first victory in Spain for the stallion Federal Trial (USA), who stands in Orense, when Prince Trial (SPA, 2008] [Federal Trial-Vagabunda(Don Roberto)] found a gap to push through in the stretch, beating the favourite Coside (USA, 2008) [Cozzene-Fairy Heights(Fairy King)]. Prince Trial is owned by Cuadra Zalduendo and trained by J. C. Fernández and was ridden by Alvaro Gómez [who made a hat trick in this meeting]. Here is the race: Premio Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales

Prince Trial (SPA) beats Coside (USA). Photo courtesy of Cortacabeza.wordpress.com