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 Ricardo Ruiz Benítez de Lugo next Sunday

The highlight of this Sunday's meeting (2nd meeting of the autumn season) is the Premio Ricardo Ruiz Benítez de Lugo, a traditional race for 3yo+ fillies over 2,200 m and one of the most important races for fillies of the Spanish turf. There is a purse of 20,000 euros for the winner.

The participants of this year's edition are:

Amorebieta (SPA, 2008), bay filly [Leadership-Premiere Melody(Night Shift)], owned by Cuadra Madelaine, trained by R. H. Huayas, will be ridden by R. H. Huayas

Casaca (GB, 2007), ch. filly [Medicean-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. She won this race last year and will be the favourite. She was 3rd in her last start, the Premio Kutxa (beaten by Baronía and Relámpago)

Manivela (SPA, 2008), bay filly [Baptize-Cayena(Indian Danehill)], owned by Cuadra Fantasía, trained by Teo Callejo, will be ridden byV. Janacek.

Relámpago (GB, 2007), bay filly [Observatory.-River City Moon (Riverman)], owned by Cuadra Tres Y Medio, trained by B. Valenti, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina.

Azafata (SPA, 2009) [Motivator-Anysheba(Alysheba)]. owned by Pilotos 747, trained by J. López, will be ridden by J. Horcajada

Ketala (SPA, 2009), bay filly [Gold Away-Afriketa(Desert Story)], owned by Cuadra LAC, trained by J. López, will be ridden by M. Secci. Ketala won the Premio Valderas but has not won since then. The dam of Ketala, Afriketa, won this race in 2006 (Video)

She Rules (FR, 2009), gray filly [Aussie Rules-Barannia (Barathea)], owned by Cuadra Zurraquín, trained by M. Hernández, will be ridden by J. L-. Borrego

Skinside (FR, 2009), bay filly, [Gentlewave-Anais Filly(Verglas)], owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by Ch. Delcher, will be ridden by J. Grosjean.

Recent winners of the Benítez de Lugo are: Casaca (2011), Para Elisa (2010), Fresneda (2009), Synergy (2008), Jade (2007) and Afriketa (2006).


The rest of the meeting includes a claiming race for 3yo+ over 1,600 m, a 2,100 m race for 3yo  Spanish breds, a 1,400 m split Handicap (with two parts) and the race reserved for horses presented in sales of the Breeders Association (2yo, 1,400 m).

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)

Ketala wins the Premio Valderas

Ketala (FR, 2009) [Gold Away-Afriketa(Desert Story )] won last Sunday the first Classic of the season, the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 Guineas, 1,600 m, 3yo fillies, 24,000 euros for the winner), coming from the last positions to win in an impressive fashion in her second start. She is owned by Cuadra LAC Internacional, trained by Jesús López and was ridden by Marco Secci.

Extrañeza (Caradak) was second four lengths behind Ketala, with She Rules (Aussie Rules) a closee third and Irish Cliff (Marju) fourth. Flash McQueen (Dyhim Diamond) and Castellana (Yorik) were the front runners, and the field of 14 (after the scratching of Laura Moon and Ladyin) opened wide, with Ketala, from the outside, coming strongly to win. This is the second win in two starts for Ketala, whose dam, Afriketa won the Benítez de Lugo (the most important race for 3yo+ fillies in the autumn) in 2006, beating Jade, Guadalmedina and Johanie Cara and was 3rd in the GP Hispanidad (beaten by Trip to the Moon and Prince d'Orange). Plans for Ketala may include running in France.

Ketala (Gold Away), winner of the Premio Valderas, with jockey Marco Secci. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com

Here is the video:  Premio Valderas 2012. Ketala is a black filly and her jockey wears dark blue and yellow body and yellow cap.


Other winners of the meeting were: Turrialba (Trade Fair) in a 2,200m claiming race for 4yo+ Spanish breds, Band Karo (Desert Style) and Lodosa (Dyhim Diamond) in the first and second parts of the split handicap over 1,800 m, Nonalass (Fol Parade) in a 1,600 m race for 3yo fillies and Shumookh (Mujahid) in a 1,400 m race for 4yo+.

Here is the photo report of the meeting by Turfarganda.blogspot.com

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)