Opikoppi wins the Beamonte

Opikoppi (SPA, 2009), ch. filly [Gentlewave-Noche(Nigh Shift)], owned by Cuadra Ussía Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta and ridden by Vaclav Janacek, won last Sunday the Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks) (2,200 m, 3yo fillies, 25,500 euros for the winner), beating the double representation of Cuadra Safsaf, Sportside (Refuse to Bend) and Pompon Coeur (Green Tune). Iune was fourth and Nonalass was fifth.

Barañaín (Dyhim Diamond) lead the race until the home straight in which Pompono Coeur and Sportside attacked first. Opikoppi (who traveled second until the final turn) displayed her charge and, although Sportside fighted well, she was surpassed finally by a neck.

The Valderas winner Ketala finished a disappointing 8th, not showing any danger.

Opikoppi (8), with Vaclav Janace, and Sportside fighting for the Beamonte. Photo courtesy of http://turfarganda.blogspot.com

This was only the 2nd start for Opikoppi, whose 2nd dam, Villablanca, was 2nd in the Beamonte back in 1987. Opikoppi is half sister to the Group performer over hurdles Sam Winner and to the winner Aljarafe.

Here is the video: Premio Beamonte 2012

In the rest of the meeting, Dagoberto (Dyhim Diamond) won the 1,000 m race for 2yo debutants, with Helfa de Rous (Wagon Master) 2nd.

The second race, 1,600 m, 4yo+, was won by Weststow (Medicean), beating Volcánico (Refuse to Bend) and As de Trébol (Tapit). Ariete Arrollador was scratched.

Vega de Castilla won the 2nd part of the split handicap (1,500 m), with Vetonia 2nd.

The winner of the first part was Black Dibel, beating Alhaprince.

In the 1,600 m race for 3yo, Azabache beat Dakside, Alduides and Celtic Rock, with a disappointing performance by Stratvs Canarias

Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks), Sunday 27, LZ

The highlight of the Sunday meeting is the Premio Beamonte (Spanish Oaks), over 2,200 m, for 3yo fillies (obviously), with 25,500 euros for the winner. Ketala, the winner of the Valderas (Guineas) will try to win the Classic Double, and she will face other 10 fillies. This is the field

Barañain (SPA, 2009), ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Zaniah], owned by Cuadra Dosangeles,
trained by A. F. Sánchez. Will be ridden by M. Borrego

Belagua (IRE, 2009), bay filly [Rail Link-Mingora(Mtoto)], owned by Cuadra Quinto Real, traned by G. Arizkorreta. Will be ridden by J. L. Borrego

Chatarrilla (FR, 2009), bay filly [Sinndar-Climate Control], owned by Cuadra El Remo, trained by A. Carrasco. Will be ridden by F. Jiménez

Iune (USA, 2009), bay filly [Proud Citizen-Jacira(Sillery)], owned by Cuadra Madroños, trained by M. Delcher. Will be ridden by J. Horcajada. This is only the third start for the daughter of Jacira


Ketala (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Gold Away-Afriketa], owned by Cuadra LAC, trained by J. López. Will be ridden by Marco Secci. Winner of the Premio Valderas (2,000 Guineas), she aims for the Classic Double

Marmara (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Enrique-My Lyck Day(Darshaan)], owned by Cuadra Odisea, trained by I. Gómez.  Will be ridden by A. Gómez

Nonalass (SPA, 2009), gray filly [Fol Parade-Beltza(Kalanisi)], owned by Cuadra Chamartín, trained by B. Valenti. Will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Was third after Infinity One and She Rules in the Premio Comunidad de Madrid. Her dam is half sister to Group performers Persian Ruler and Kashwan

Nonalass (Fol Parade). Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Opikoppi (SPA, 2009), ch. filly [Gentlewave-Noche], owned by Cuadra Ussía Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta. Will be ridden by V. Janacek

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

She Rules (FR, 2009), gray filly [Aussie Rules-Barannia (Barathea)], owned by Cuadra Zurraquín, trained by M. Hernández. 2nd in the Premio Comunidad de Madrid. Will be ridden by Borja Fayos.

Sportside (IRE, 2009), bay filly [Refuse to Bend-Perfect Fun (Marju)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S. Will be ridden by J. Grosjean. Sportside is the half sister to Faramir (winner of the GP Ciudad de Madrid)

Sportside (Refuse to Bend). Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

 The Premio Beamonte is held since 1952 (with the interruption of 1997-2005) in the La Zarzuela racetrack and includes among its winners great names of the Spanish turf, like Robertiya (winner in 1990 and dam of Volvoreta (third in the Arc de Triomphe won by Sinndar)), Teresa (winner in 1987) one of the best Spanish bred fillies of all time, who was 7th in the Arc won by Trempolino. Jockey Claudio Carudel won the Premio Beamonte 13 times.

The winner last year was Clunia and other recent winners were Narya (2010), Carlota (2009), La Galerna (2008), Golding Star (2007)

Entre Copas wins the Gladiateur

One day after his half sister Casaca placed third in the Prix Fille de L'Air, Entre Copas (GB, 2004) won his sixth win in seven starts this year, winning the Premio Gladiateur (4,000 m, 4yo+). The ch. gelding by Sakhee and Priena(Priolo), owned and bred by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio and ridden by J. Crocquevieille, was the first by three quarters of a length, witj Domeside (GB, 2006) [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz], with Duke third and Karluv Most fourth, both far behind and Pazifiksturm last.

Duke was the front runner, along with his stable mate Karluv Most, for the first half of the race. In the second pass along the stretch, Pazifiksturm took the command, only to lose it in the last turn. After that, Entre Copas launched his attack, follwed by Domeside, and the race became a match race, with Entre Copas winning.

Here is the video: Premio Gladiateur 2011.

This is the third Gladiateur for Entre Copas, who was second to Carmanor last year.

In the race for 2yo debutants (premio Cadena Ser), the winner was Cascabel (SPA, 2009), a ch. filly [Dyhim Diamond-Channel(Sharp n'Early)], owned by Cuadra Pincal, trained by Angel Sánchez and ridden by M. Borrego, with Iune (USA, 2009) a bay filly [Proud Citizen-Jacira(Sillery)] second with jockey Jorge Horcajada for Cuadra Madroños and trainer M. Delcher. Here is the race: Premio Cadena Ser.

Jacira (dam of Iune) won the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, had a yearling filly (by Arch) for sale at Arqana, sold in 65,000 euros. Jacira is also the dam of Royal Imari (Royal Academy), who won yesterday.

The Premio Veil Picard (1,800 m, 2yo) was won by Arsalan (GB, 2009) a bay colt [Halling-Kali(Linamix)], owned by Reza Pazooki, trained by F. Rodríguez and ridden by J. B. Hamel. Gran Chipi (Green Tune) was second and Giggolo Star (Dyhim Diamond) was third. Video: Premio Veil Picard 2011