Premio Antonio Blasco and Copas de Criadores tomorrow at LZ

This Sunday, the highlight of the La Zarzuela meeting is the Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+, 12,000 euros for the winner), with the following participants (no 2yos this year):


Ariete Arrollador (GB, 2007), bay colt [Kingsalsa-Proud Douna(Kaldoun)], owned by Cuadra Albero, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez. Scratched.

As de Trébol (USA, 2006), gray colt [Tapit-Adelphi(Danzig)], owned by Cuadra Chicago, trained by M. Delcher, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina Comes from his 6th place in the Nearctic Stakes G1 (Canada).

Mil Azul (SPA, 2008), bay colt [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)], owned by Yeguada Urdiñ-Oriya, trained by J. L. de Salas, will be ridden by Jorge Horcajada

Risby (IRE, 2008), bay gelding [Big Shuffle-Lonicera(Charmer), owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille

S Grillo (GB, 2008), gray gelding [Val Royal- Santiago Blue(Relaunch)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek.

Negrete (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Hold that Tiger-Helena Smile(Southern Halo)], owned by Cuadra Jarilla, trained by F. Pérez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

The winner last year was Abdel

There are also two 1,500 m races for Spanish bred 2yos, the Copas de Criadores, one for colts and the other one for fillies, with 9,500 euros for the winner of each race:

The Copa de Criadores for colts has the following participants:


Aarhus (SPA, 2010), chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Ensis(Zieten)], owned by Cuadra El Molino, trained by J. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Was 2nd in his only start. His dam Ensis was Listed performer.

Dubrovnik (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Delta(Istoriato)[, owned byY. Las Cuevas, trained by J. Calderón, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Winner of 2 races.

Duendecillo (SPA, 2010), ch. colt [Visindar-Chloe(Green Desert), owned by Cuadra Isabel, trained by I. Gómez, will be ridden by A. Gómez, Unbeaten in 2 starts, half brother to Doende (Wagon Master)

Labros (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Sunset Fily (Lil's Lad)], owned by Cuadra Dosemes, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Horcajada. Winner in his 2nd start.

Mayo (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Sakhee-Abril(Anabaa)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizcorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. Winner in his last start.

Pikerson (SPA, 2010), bay colt [Dyhim Diamond-Pashmiyina(Highest Honor)]. owned by Cuadra Cielo dr Madrid, trained by O. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego. He is half brother to Cambalache GR (winner of the GP Nacional)

Recent winners have been Nuredyn (2011), Banbu (2010), Jakemate (2009), Tirillas (2008), Sideside (2007), Newango (2006), Boabdil (2005).

In the Copa de Criadores for fillies, participants are:

Alabarda (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Dyhim Diamond-Eiren Surprise(Danetime)], owned by Cuadra Il Padrino, trained by R. López, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Albuhera (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Devil Moon-Lili d'Aubois(Lycius)], owned by Cuadra Cacharela, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by Nieves García

Artesa (GB, 2010), chestnut filly [Medecis-Pas le Temps(Be My Guest)], owned by Cuadra Bloke, trained by J. A. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez

Briseida (SPA, 2010), gray filly [Keltos-Tiviski(Desert Style)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille.

Cariñosa (SPA, 2010), bay filly [Fol Parade-Emerald Princess(Even Top)], owned by Cuadra Donalfa, trained by M. J. Pérez, will be ridden by J Horcajada.

La Bopperia (SPA, 2010), chestnut filly [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)], owned by Cuadra Bolak, trained by J. C. Fernández, will be ridden by  A. Gómez, own sister to Eltso.

Napa Side (SPA, 2010), ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Free Lunch(Vettori)], owned by Cuadra Saf Saf, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean

Sol Dyhim (SPA, 2010), ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Solin(Songlines)], owned by Cuadra Manola, trained by A. Sánchez, will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

Winners in recent years have been Vraivita (2011), Ventura (2010), Cris Cross (2009), Desdella (2008), Sorayah (2007) and Casbah (2006)


The Premio Veil Picard (2yos, 1,800 m), the Premio Victoria Eugenia (Hdcp, 1,800 m, 3yo+) and a claming race for 3yo+ over 2,200 m complete the card

Skinside wins the Benitez de Lugo

Skinside (FR, 2009), bay filly, [Gentlewave-Anais Filly(Verglas)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by Ch. Delcher and ridden by Julien Grosjean, won yesterday the Premio Ricardo Ruiz Benítez de Lugo (2,200 m, 3yo+ fillies, 20,000 euros for the winner), the most important race of the meeting and one of the highlights of the autumn season.

Skinside came from last in the stretch, along the rail, to beat the favourite and winner of the 2011 edtion, Casaca (Medicean) by a length, Azafata (Motivator) was 3rd and Relámpago (Observatory), 4th.

Amorebieta led the race with Ketala second, with a comfortable pace, until the final turn, in which there was a sudden increase in the speed. Casaca attacked along the outer side of the field, while Skinside went along the rail and held off Casaca.

Skinside along the rail beating Casaca. Photo courtesy of Hipódromo de La Zarzuela

Here is the video: Premio Ricardo Ruiz Benítez de Lugo 2012

In the other races of the meeting:
Duendecillo (SPA, 2010) [Visindar-Chloe(Green Desert)], easily won the Premio Asociación de Criadores, a 1,400 m race for 2yos who were presented at the ACPSIE sales. He beat Sol Dyhim (Dyhim Diamond) by three lengths, with Cotonio (Multazem) third. Here is the race: Premio Asociación de Criadores  . This is the 2nd win in two starts for Duendecillo, who is the first product of Visindar to win.

Negrete (Hold that Tiger) won the 1st part of the split handicap over 1,400 m, beating Altamir One (Act One) and Aguamarina (Ifraaj).

In the 2nd part, the winner was Pichuca (Silent Times), with El Africano (Luth Dancer) 2nd and Ariza (Diktat) 3rd.

Muñeca Brava (Noverre) won the Premio Cruzcampo-Memorial Luis Maroto (claiming, amateur jockeys, 1,600 m, 3yo+), beating Turrialba (Trade Fair) and Blaise Tower (Fantastic Light),

And in the Premio Cría Nacional-Revirado (2,100 m, Spanish bred 3yo), the results were: 1st Gimena (Baptize), 2nd Nonalass (Fol Parade) and 3rd Sukarrieta (Leadership)