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)

Aspasia de Mileto (GB) wins the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas)

Aspasia de Mileto (GB) [Hurricane Run-Fabulous Speed(Silver Hawk)], ridden by Jeremy Crocquevieille won today the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas). The bay filly is owned and trained by J. M. Osorio, Duque de Alburquerque.

Aspasia de Mileto (2, left) surpassing Pichuca. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com

This was the second start and the second win for Aspasia, who went in a comfortable third position behind the front runners Pichuca (IRE) and Clunia (GB). Clunia, the champion 2 y/o filly of 2010, didn't show real danger, but Pichuca [Silent Times-Milady's Pride(Machiavellian)] kept the lead until the final furlong, to be surpassed first by Aspasia de Mileto and then by Belate (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Tennesi(Policy Matter)] who closed well for second. Bucovina(SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Steppe Thon(Marathon)] accompanied Belate in her late charge and was fourth just a head behind Pichuca.

Here is the race: Premio Valderas 2011. Jeremy Crocquevieille, jockey of Aspasia de Mileto: blue body, red sleeves and red cap.

Premio Valderas (1,000 Guineas) this Sunday

The first classic of the season, the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 guineas) will be raced this Sunday at La Zarzuela, with fifteen 3 y/o fillies in the 1,600 m:

ANGELINA DESIO (FR), bay [Apsis-Alba Desio], owned by Jerome Miceli, trained by A. Imaz Ceca, will be ridden by D. Morisson.

ASPASIA DE MILETO (GB)[Hurricane Run-Fabulous Speed] owned and trained by the Duque de Alburquerque, ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Won his only start, at two: Premio SEPI, beating Arnuero (GB) in a race for debutants.

AZAMOR (SPA) [Slickly-Red Bravo], owned by Cuadra El Herrojo, trained by G. Arizkorreta, will be ridden by V, Janacek. Has 4 starts, 1 win and 2 placings

BELATE (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Tennessi], owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal, trained by J. López and ridden by O. Ortiz de Urbina. 8 starts, 1 win, 7 placings.

BEROA (GB) bay, [Tannenkoing-Proud Elegance] owned and trained by M. Borrego, ridden by J. M. Borrego. Three starts, one win and two placings.

BUCOVINA (SPA), bay [Dyhim Diamond y Steppe Thon], owned by Cuadra Vallejunco, trained by J. L. Maroto and ridden by J. L. Martínez. Three starts, one win, two placings, second to Pichuca in the Premio Atlántida

CARIOKA (SPA), grey, [Devil Moon-Lady Woo], owned by Yeguada Cortiñal, trained by J. C. Fernández, ridden by F. Jiménez A. Six starts, 2 wins, 4 placings

CLUNIA (IRE), chestnut [Silent Times-Doohulla], owned by Cuadra Brazacorta, trained by G. Villarta, ridden by B. Fayos. Seven starts, 4 wins, 3 placings. Champion 2 y/o filly in 2010. 4th in the Premio Atlántida.

DUCABA (FR) bay [Bachelor Duke-Cazorla], owned by Yeguada San Isidro, trained by J. L. de Salas, ridden by J. Horcajada. One start, one placing.

GORSHETA (GB) bay [Tumblebrutus-La Cata] owned by Zarzuela Racing, trained by G. Arizkorreta, ridden by M. Secci. Three starts, one win, one placing.

HEART IN MOTION (IRE), bay [Mujadil-Valluga], owned by Cuadra Martel Sánchez, trained by B. Rama, ridden by D. Delgado. Four starts, 1 win, 1 placing.

PEACH BLOOM (GB), bay [Cape Cross-Mennetou] owned by Cuadra La Toledana, trained by Y. Durepaire, ridden by F. Spanu. Two starts, 2 placings.

PICHUCA (GB), chestnut [Silent Times-Miladys Pride] owned by Cuadra Pegaso, trained by M. J. Pérez, ridden by J. L. Borrego. 6 starts, 2 wins. Winner of the Premio Atlántida, usual prep race for this Premio Valderas

QUEENSIDE (USA), bay, [Leroidesanimaux-Bragadocious], owned by SafSaf, trained by M. Delcher S. and ridden by Julien Grosjean. Six starts, 2 wins, 2 placings. 6th in the Premio Atlántida

TAFADHALI (SPA) chestnut, [Dyhim Diamond-Laida], one win in her only start. Owned by Cuadra Lajorquin, trained by J. López, ridden by J. C. Cerqueira. Here is her only race.

Pichuca (GB) wins the Premio Atlántida

Pichuca (GB, 2008) [Silent Times-Milady's Pride] ridden by J. L. Borrego won this Sunday 20th the Premio Atlántida at La Zarzuela (Madrid) for trainer M. J. Pérez and owner Cuadra Pegaso. The Premio Atlántida is a 1,400 m race reserved for 3 y/o fillies. The chestnut filly took the lead early in the race and commanded until the end. Bucovina (SPA) [Dyhim Diamond-Spette Thon(Marathon)] was second in a late charge, with Azamor (SPA) [Slickly-Red Bravo(Red Ransom)] third and the favourite Clunia fourth. This is the second consecutive win for Pichuca, who has a two year full sister entered in the Breeze-Up sale in Madrid next Saturday. Here is the race: Premio Atlántida 2011.

In the first race, a 1,600 m for 3 y/o maidens, the winner was Happy Few [Ballingbarry-Ventolera(Gulch)] a bay colt owned by Cuadra Odisea, ridden by Alvaro Gómez and trained by I. Gómez. Flash Val (SPA, 2008) [Denver County-Lake Coinsance(Lake Coniston)] was second, with Llanes (USA) [Giant's Causeway-Coachella(Danehill)] third.

In the third race, a 1,600 m for unraced Spanish-bred 3 y/o, the winner was Eltso (SPA, 2008), a chestnut colt [Dyhim Diamond-Katherine(Don Roberto)] owned by Cuadra San Cristóbal and trained by J. López, ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Eltso, in a thrilling finish, along with Don Fernando Hab [Intikhab] (second), caught Aljarafe in the post. Aljarafe, [Russian Blue-Noche(Night Shift)] is a half brother to Sam Winner, recent 4th in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) at Cheltenham and Grade 2 winner in hurdles last November.
Here is the race: Premio Cría Nacional


Meanwhile, the sixth race was the first victory in Spain for the stallion Federal Trial (USA), who stands in Orense, when Prince Trial (SPA, 2008] [Federal Trial-Vagabunda(Don Roberto)] found a gap to push through in the stretch, beating the favourite Coside (USA, 2008) [Cozzene-Fairy Heights(Fairy King)]. Prince Trial is owned by Cuadra Zalduendo and trained by J. C. Fernández and was ridden by Alvaro Gómez [who made a hat trick in this meeting]. Here is the race: Premio Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales

Prince Trial (SPA) beats Coside (USA). Photo courtesy of Cortacabeza.wordpress.com