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)

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