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).

Premio Benítez de Lugo (2,200 3yo+ fillies) this Sunday in Madrid

Racing returns to Madrid after the summer season, and the first big race is the traditional Premio Ricardo Ruiz Benítez de Lugo, a 2,200 m race for 3 yo+ fillies, with a purse of 21,000 euros for the winner.

The race this year seems like an almost exact reedition of the recent Premio Kutxa, won by Casaca in San Sebastián.

Partants are:

Casaca (GB, 2006) chestnut filly, [Medicean-Priena(Priolo)], owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Half to Entre Copas, has 14 starts, 4 wins, 5 placings and 73,463 euros.

Lisselan Beauty (USA, 2006), a bay filly [Black Mambo-Like to Shimmy], owned by Lisselan Farms Ltd., trained by A. R. Acosta, ridden by A. R. Acosta

Monyaar (FR, 2007), bay filly [Montjeu-Iktheyaar], owned by Cuadra Ussía-Figueroa, trained by G. Arizcorreta, ridden by M. Secci

Narya (IRE, 2007), bay filly [Halling-Badraan], owned by Cuadra Miranda, trained by M. Delcher S., ridden by J. Horcajada. Winner of the Beamonte in 2010, has been beaten repeatedly by Casaca this year.

Relámpago (GB, 2007) [Observatory-River City Moon], owned by Cuadra Tres y Medio, trained by B. Valenti, ridden by J. L. Martínez

Tasha Linda (IRE, 2007) [Where or When-Triple Two], owned by Cuadra Paganini, trained by T. Callejo, ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina

Clunia (IRE, 2008) [Silent Times-Doohulla], owned by Cuadra Brazacorta, trained by G. Villarta, ridden by Borja Fayos. Winner of the Beamonte (Oaks) and best 2yo filly in 2010. Second to Casaca in the Premio Kutxa.

Manivela (SPA, 2008) [Baptize-Cayena], owned by Cuadra Fantasia, trained by T. Callejo, ridden by J. C. Cerqueira. Won the Premio Comunidad de Madrid back in May.

Tafadhali (SPA, 2008) [Dyhim Diamond-Laida], owned by Cuadra Lajorquín, trained by J. López, ridden by J. Grosjean.

Recent winners of the Benitez de Lugo were: Para Elisa (2010), Fresneda (2009), Synergy (2008), Jade (2007) and Afriketa.