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INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
DECEMBER 13, 2014
'Carambolo' aims to repeat in Pellegrini
by Michael Burns
Argentina's 2013 Horse of the Year, Soy Carambolo (Val Royal), victor of last
year's Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (Arg-G1), will bid to defend his title in
South America's most prestigious race as the headliner among 22 horses entered
for this year's renewal Saturday at San Isidro.
In 60 years, only two horses were capable of capturing back-back editions of
the Pellegrini -- Filon in 1944-45 and Storm Mayor in 2005-06.
The 1 1/2-mile race has attracted a stellar field, including El Moises
(Manipulator) and Interdetto (Roman Ruler), one-two finishers of the Gran Premio
Nacional (Argentine Derby) (Arg-G1), who will be squaring off against their
elders for the first time; Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (Arg-G1) hero Idolo Porteno
(Jump Start) and a trio of foreign invaders that includes Peruvian
representatives Sotil (Ivan Denisovich) and U.S.-bred Sonny Corleone (Mr.
Greeley), first two under the wire in the qualifying Clasico Presidente de la
Republica (Per-G2) in Lima; as well as Brazilian representative Comical (Linngari),
a winner of three of nine starts in Sao Paulo.
No three-year old has won the continent's most emblematic race since Freddy
in 2002. The last winner of the Dardo Rocha to capture the Pellegrini was Second
Reality (Hidden Prize) in 2001.
In the 18-horse field for the Gran Premio Copa de Plata-Roberto Vasquez
Mansilla (Arg-G1), three-year-old standout Kalithea (Exchange Rate), will bid to
close her 2014 season on a high note after recording victories at Palermo in
both the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (Argentine One Thousand Guineas)
(Arg-G1) and Gran Premio Seleccion (Argentine Oaks) (Arg-G1) in the 1 1/4-mile
test for fillies and mares on the grass; while U.S.-bred and Peruvian invader
Ryan's Charm (Heatseeker), a nine-time winner, will seek revenge in the race
where she was disqualified from victory in 2013.
Other contenders include the three-year-old Beverly Hills Stud homebred Last
Kiss (Elusive Quality), heroine of the Grande Premio Henrique de Toledo Lara
(Brz-G1) and runner-up in the Grande Premio Diana (Sao Paulo Oaks) (Brz-G1), her
most recent start at Cidade Jardim.
The one-mile Gran Premio Joaquin S. De Anchorena (Arg-G1) lured 23 starters,
including Gran Premio San Isidro (Arg-G1) hero Il Fornaio (Orpen), who will try
to successfully defend that title against an accomplished group of 23 milers,
that also includes Brazilian invader Kip Keyno (Northern Afleet) and
Argentine-bred Craps (Orpen), representing Peru.
Finally, all eyes will be on sprint specialist Lenovo (Roman Ruler), who will
seek a record fifth Group 1 victory this season in the five-furlong Gran
Premio Felix de Alzaga Unzue, which attracted the most number of entries with
27.
Editor's note: Also see Vance Hanson's guide to the Pellegrini on the
TwinSpires.blog, "Carlos Pellegrini a Great Way to Enjoy Racing Argentinean
Style."
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