Abdel wins the Antonio Blasco in an impressive performance

The heavy favourite, Abdel (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], the bay colt owned and trained by J.M. Osorio, duque de Alburquerque and ridden by Jeremy Crocquevieille, won today the Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+), leaving five lenghts behind Mil Azul (SPA, 2008) [Russian Blue-Cuittled(Charismatic)] second and Risby (SPA, 2008) [Big Shuffle-Lonicera(Charmer)] third by a head.

This is the fifth win in eight starts for Abdel, who totals 79,000 euros in prize money. Abdel has been third in the GP Nacional (2,200 m), won the prep race for 3yo for the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián, was second in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián (2,400 m) and, running now in shorter distances, he has done two great performances, winning the GP Hispanidad (1,600 m, 3yo+, the most important mile in the autumn) and now this Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m) with a fantastic performance again.

Here is the video: Premio Antonio Blasco 2011. Abdel's colors are: blue body, red sleeves and cap (the popular silks of the Duque de Alburquerque).

Besides Abdel, Dyhim Diamond, had two winners today: Tagomago, winner of the first part of the Handicap and Diamant du Soleil (SPA, 2008), ch. colt, [Dyhim Diamond-Solina], who won his first race, the 7th of the meeting (Handicap Infanta Isabel).

In the first race of the program, for 2 yo, there was a 1-2 for Caradak, when Fearside beat El Crack. Both are owned by Cuadra Safsaf.

In the race for 2yo debutants, the winner was Stratus Canarias (IRE, 2009) a bay colt, [Soviet Star-Hekayaat(Sinndar)], owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by Enrique León and ridden by Alvaro Gómez, beating Vereda (Kheleyf)(half sister to Lorgan), Vallarta (Devil Moon) and Paniside (Panis).
Video: Premio Marca. The 2nd dam of Stratus Canarias (who left a very good impression with this 4 lengths win) is 3/4 sister to Sakhee.

Stratus Canarias (IRE, 2009) [Soviet Star-Hekayaat(Sinndar)]. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com

Premio Antonio Blasco (1,400 m, 2yo+) Sunday 30th

The Premio Antonio Blasco is a 1,400 m race that represents the first important race for 2 yo+. It is named after the great owner-breeder Antonio Blasco Oller, one of the most important figures in racing in the twentieth century in Spain. He owned the Cuadra Rosales which means he was the owner of some of the best horses in the second half of the century, like Chacal, Teresa, Takala, My Mourne, Casualidad, Richal, Lorgot, Dual Sea, Barilone, Clamor and a very long etc.

He also had horses out of Spain, being the most prominent the Prix de L'Opera winner Dona Barod and Pharly, second to Blushing Groom in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

The last winners of the Premio Antonio Blasco have been: Peñalén (2010), Mariscal (2009), Lorgan (2008), Lessing (2007) and Prince d'Orange

The partans this year are:

Lince ch. c (GB, 2007) [Singspiel-Cuclone Connie(Dr. Devious)], owned by Cuadra Los Toneles, trained by F. Rodríguez, ridden by M. Borrego.

Abdel bay c (FR, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Leonor de Guzmán(Glauco)], owned and trained by J. M. Osorio, Duque de Alburquerque, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. He won the GP Hispanidad 2011, and was second in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián.

Cielo Canarias, bay geld. (IRE, 2008) [Exceed and Excel-Summer Dance(Sadler's Wells)] owned by Cuadra Grupo Bolaños, trained by E. León, will be ridden by J. L. Martínez

Golfo Pérsico, bay colt (IRE, 2008) [Diamond Green-Bajan Belle(Efisio)], owned by Toneles-Pazooki, trained by F. Rodríguez, will be ridden by J. Grosjean.

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

Risby, bay geld. (IRE, 2008) [Big Shuffle-Lonicera(Charmer)], owned by Cuadra Viguria, trained by J.M. Osorio, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina

S Grillo, black colt (GB, 2008) [Val Royal-Santiago Blue(Relaunch)], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V. Janacek. He won his last start: Premio AEPCC, a 1,100 m sprint, beating Golfo Pérsico by a nose.

Pippa Snudge, bay filly (IRE, 2009) [Strategic Prince-River Grand(Grand Lodge)] owned by Sunshin Racing, trained by P. Haley, will be ridden by A. Gómez. The only 2yo and the only filly of the race. She has four starts with two wins and two seconds.

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.