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)

Premio Comunidad de Madrid this Sunday

There will be 6 races tomorrow at the La Zarzuela track, Madrid, being the most important the Premio Comunidad de Madrid [2,100 m, 3yo fillies, 15,000 euros for the winner), a preparatory race for the Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks)


This is the field:

Belagua (IRE, 2009), bay filly [Rail Link-Mingora(Mtoto)], owned by Cuadra Quinto Real, traned by G. Arizkorreta. Ridden by V. Janacek, 2nd to Galipoli in her last start.

Extrañeza (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Caradak-Watchkeeper(Rudimentary)], owned by MG Racing, trained by M. J. Pérez. Ridden by M. Borrego. Was second to Ketala in the Valderas

Gimena (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Baptize-Maya Cove(Caerleon)], owned by Reza Pazooki, trained by F. Rodríguez. Ridden by J. L. Martínez

Infinity One (SPA, 2009) ch. filly [Green Tune-Tropical Chic(Thunder Gulch)], owne by Cuadra Tres y Medio, trained by B. Valenti. Ridden by O. O. de Urbina. Winner in her last start

La Gobernadora (GB, 2009), chestnut filly [Halling-Cyclone Connie(Dr. Devious)], owned by cuadra Santa Bárbara, trained by G. Arizkorreta. Ridden by J. L. Borrego

Nonalass (SPA, 2009), gray filly [Fol Parade-Beltza(Kalanisi)], owned by Cuadra Chamartín, trained by B. Valenti. Ridden by J. Horcajada. Winner in her last start. Her dam is half sister to Group performers Persian Ruler and Kashwan.

Pompon Coeur (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Green Tune-Villa Sonata(Mozart)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by F. Rodríguez. Ridden by J. Crocquevieille.

She Rules (FR, 2009), gray filly [Aussie Rules-Barannia (Barathea)], owned by Cuadra Zurraquín, trained by M. Hernández. Ridden by B. Fayos. Was third in the Premio Valderas

Sportside (IRE, 2009), bay filly [Refuse to Bend-Perfect Fun (Marju)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S. Ridden by J. Grosjean Sportside is half sister to Faramir, winner of the GP de Madrid. She won her last start

The last winners of the Premio Comunidad de Madrid have been: Manivela (2011), Manly Dream (2010), Pituss (2009), Synergy (2008), La Flamenca (2007) and Baldoria (2006).


The rest of the meeting includes a 1,600 m claiming race for 4yo+, a 2,100 m split handicap for 3yo+, with two parts, a 1,800 m handicap for 3yo+, and a 1,200 m sprint for 3yo

Valiant Blue won the Nouvel An

Valiant Blue (IRE, 2009), a bay colt [Moss Vale-Tiltili(Spectrum)] won last Friday the Premio Nouvel An (1,800 m, 3yos) at the La Zarzuela racetrack, beating Kadmios (FR, 2009) [Kavafi-Eriza(Distant Relative)], after a long fight in the home stretch, with the favourite Monte Napoleone (Fol Parade) third.

Here is the video: Premio Nouvel An 2012

Valiant Blue is owned by Cuadra Agrado, trained by Teo Callejo and was ridden by V, Janacek. This is his second consecutive win.

In the rest of the meeting, Tafadhali (SPA, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Laida (Slip Anchor) won the Premio Vértice (2,200 m, 4yo+ fillies), beating Clunia (Silent Times) and Vergara (Halling). Video: Premio Vértice Tafadhali is owned by Cuadra Lajorquín and trained by J. López and was ridden by F. Jiménez

Madrugar (Poliglote) won the first race (2,300 m, 4y+, handicap, dirt)
Gimena (Baptize) won the claiming race for 3yo fillies over 1,800 m and Aluvión (Dyhim Diamond) won the equivalent for colts (making a double for sire Dyhim Diamond).