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

This Sunday, Premio Gladiateur (4,000 m, 4yo+) and Premio Veil Picard (1,800 m 2yo) in Madrid

The Premio Gladiateur, as its homonymous in France, is a long distance race for 4 yo+. The field of five of thie year include three Classic winners: the Derby winner Domeside and the Villamejor (St Leger) winners Karluv Most and Pazifizturm.

Domeside (GB, 2006) [Domedriver-Buck's Fizz]. Owned by Cuadra Safsaf, trained by M. Delcher S, will be ridden by J. Grosjean. He did a good spring season, to disappoint in the GP Ciudad de Madrid. In his last start, he was third to Ayanz and Arnuero in the Memorial Duque de Toledo

Duke (GER, 2006) is a bay gelding [Second Set-Deborah(Law Society)], owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J.L. Maroto and will be ridden by M. Borrego.

Entre Copas (GB, 2004), chestnut gelding [Sakhee-Priena(Priolo)] Owned by Cuadra África, trained by J. M. Osorio, will be ridden by J. Crocquevieille. Winner of the 2008 and 2009 editions of this race. He is having an outstanding year. He was fifth in the Memorial Duque de Toledo, his last outing.

Karluv Most (FR, 2006), bay colt [Della Francesca-La Vltava(Grand Lodge)]. Owned by Cuadra Cholaica, trained by J. L. Maroto, will be ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina. Winner of the Villamejor (St. Leger) in 2009, he won also the GP Ciudad de Madrid and the Memorial Duque de Toledo in 2010, although he was repeatedly beaten by Entre Copas this year.

Pazifiksturm (GER, 2007), ch. colt. [Samum-La Parabol(Trempolino)], owned by Cuadra Martul, trained by Ana Imaz, will be ridden by J. B. Hamel. Winner of the Villamejor and second to Bannaby in the Copa de Oro de San Sebastián in 2010, his performances this year have been disappointing so far.

Recent winners of the Gladiateur have been: Carmanor (2010), Entre Copas (2008 and 2009), Bannaby (2007) and Lourival


The other important race of the seven races of the meeting is the Premio Veil Picard, a 1,800 m race for 2 yo. The participants are: Callside (Pyrus), Gran Chipi (Green Tune), Arsalan (Halling), Cardolan (Azamour), >Fortun (Bachelor Duke), Giggolo Star (Dyhim Diamond), Infinity One (Green Tune) and Lucciole Lol (Sorcerous)

And this will be the last meeting in Madrid for this year. Racing will continue in Dos Hermanas (Seville) and Mijas.

Casaca was third in the Prix Fille de l'Air (Gr. 3)

Casaca (Medicean), the chestnut filly of Cuadra África trained by J.M. Osorio and ridden by J. Crocquevieille, was third in the Prix Fille de l'Air, a 2,100 m Group 3 race run in the Toulouse racetrack.

With the usual colors of Cuadra África (light and dark green stripes), she travelled around sixth position, to be somehow boxed at the beginning of the home stretch. However, when she found a gap, she finished very strongly.

Bellaside, the other Spanish trained filly of the field, was unplaced.

Video can be seen here:http://www.porunpeloturf.es/?p=1663

In the same meeting, Fearside was last in the Criterium de Languedoc, Señor Miranda was fourth and Flash McQueen (Dyhim Diamon) was second in a race for 2 yos.

Casaca, Bellaside, Matusalen to run Group races in France

Casaca (GB, 2006) [Medicean-Priena(Priolo)], a chestnut filly, owned by Cuadra África and trained by J.M. Osorio, has been entered in the Prix Fille de l'Air (Group III), a 2,100 m race for 3yo+ fillies in the Toulouse racecourse, next November 11th.

Casaca is arguably the best filly in Spain, since she has won both the Premio Kutxa in San Sebastián (summer) and the Premio Benítez de Lugo in Madrid (autumn). She was second in both classics (Valderas and Beamonte) in 2009, and she has repeatedly beaten this year both the 2010 and 2011 Oaks winners (Narya and Clunia). She is half sister to Entre Copas, winner of the Mijas Cup and the GP Ciudad de Madrid

Casaca after winning the Benítez de Lugo. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com


Bellaside (IRE, 2007) [La Vie dei Colori-Brockton Saga], owned by Cuadra Bolaños and trained by Enrique León, is also entered in the Prix Fille de l'Air. She won the Listed Pietro Bessero (1,600 m) in Milan this year. Bellaside is property of Cuadra Bolaños and is trained by Enrique León.

Meanwhile, Matusalen (SPA, 2009) [Caradak-Bixaare(Xaar)] is entered in the Gran Criterium (St. Cloud), a Gr. 1 race for 2yo, over a distance of 2,000 m to be run November 12th at St. Cloud. Matusalen has won his 4 starts, including the Gran Criterium, the most important race for 2 yo in Spain. Matusalen belongs to the first crop of Caradak. He is owned by Cuadra Aller and trained by M. Delcher S.

Also from the first crop of Caradak is Fearside, who will run in the Criterium de Languedoc, Toulouse, Nov. 11th.

Achtung wins the Premio Villamejor (St. Leger)

Achtung (SPA, 2008) [Sulamani-Aurea(Silvano)], a bay colt owned by Cuadra Enalto, trained by Roberto López and ridden by Oscar Ortiz de Urbina, won today the last of the Spanish Classic races, the Premio Villamejor (2,800 m, 3 yo) (Spanish St. Leger) in the La Zarzuela racetrack over a soft going.

Casar (IRE, 2008) [Hurricane Run-Thoroughly(Woodman)], a ch. colt, Cuadra Quinto Real, trained by M. Delcher and ridden by J. Horcajada, was second by half a length, with Lionel Star (FR, 2008) [Silent Times-Lady Cree(Medicean)] third and Francesco Cara fourth.

Lionel Star, ridden by J. L. Martínez, was the front runner, followd by Labrit for most of the race. In the home stretch, Lionel Star retained strength to fight, beaten only by the closers Achtung and Casar.

Achtung beating Casar in the Villamejor. Photo courtesy of turfarganda.blogspot.com


This is the video: Premio Villamejor 2011

Achtung is the first product of the Listed placed Aurea (GER, 2003) [Silvano-Alula(Monsun)], who was third in the Prix de la Cochere (L) and in the HSBC,Trinhaus Burkhardt Riemer Meile (L).

Mijas tomorrow

There will be races this Saturday in Mijas

The Mijas meeting includes five races and the most important is a 1,300 m race for 3yo+, with the following participants: Compton Park (GB, 2007), ch. colt. [Compton Place-Corps de Ballet], Tirion [Royal Academy-Domenica's Dream], Corcubión (SPA, 2005) [Kashwan-Loureira], Ariza (SPA, 2007) [Diktat-Conquete] and Laazem (IRE, 2007), bay gelding, [Piccolo-Untimely]

In the 1,200 m 2yo race will have as runners:
Bentayga (IRE, 2009), ch. geld. [Strategic Prince-Barbera(Night Shift)]
Henares (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Fol Parade-Nadjy(Verglas)]
Victor's Bet (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Leadership-Marmaria(Limpid)]
Golden (SPA, 2009), bay colt [Fragrant Wells-Karada(Crack Regiment)]

Favourites As de Trébol, Bottega and Le Feu du Ciel won in Pineda

Le Feu du Ciel (FR, 2006), [Johan Quatz-Gialla] the chestnut gelding property of Cuadra Sayago, trained by G. Arizkorreta, ridden by V. Janacek, won the Premio Excelentísimo Ayuntamiento de Sevilla (2,400 m, 7,000 euros), the main race of yesterday meeting in the Pineda racetrack, Pineda, Seville, leaving far behind Seminole Cry, second, with Ilusionista third. Le Feu du Ciel has won the Grand Prix de Pompadour three times and was one of the favourites in the Mijas Cup this year.

As de Trébol (USA, 2006) [Tapit-Adelphi] won the Premio Coca Cola-GP de Velocidad (1,600 m). He is owned by Cuadra Chicago and trained by M. Delcher and was ridden by Diana López. Whistleinthewind was second by five lengths and Liniberto was third.

Diana López also rode Bottega (USA, 2007) [Mineshaft-Sun is Up], winner of the Premio Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla (1,750 m) for Cuadra Madroños and trained by M. Delcher, with Singapore Guy second and Alhaprince third.

Galego (SPA, 2009) [Wagon Master-Ma Marsellaise] won the 2 yo race and La Bailarina (SPA, 2008) [Doyen-Massina] won the 3yo race.