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Village King Gets BC Turf Spot With Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional Victory

Haras El Angel De Venecia's 7-year-old Village King (ARG) took the lead with two furlongs remaining and cruised to a nine-length victory Saturday in the 1 ½-mile Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional at Hipódromo de San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina. With this victory, Village King, ridden by Martin Valle, earned an automatic starting position into the 2022 Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held on Nov. 4-5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional, South America's most prestigious race, was the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2022 season.

Village King (ARG), trained by Carlos Etchechoury, finished third in the 2017 and 2020 editions of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. Today, the bay son of Campanologist out of the Pleasant Tap mare Villard, won his ninth race in 21 starts, and his fourth G1 triumph. He completed the 1½ miles in 2:23.42.

Sent off at the 9-1 third choice in the 19-horse field, Village King broke sharply and settled in behind the pace set by Sandino Ruler (ARG) and Encarrilado (ARG) through the first 1600 meters in 1:37.15. On the turn for home, Village King ranged up and easily passed a fading Encarrilado and set his sights on Sandino Ruler, catching the pacesetter in midstretch and extending his margin to nine lengths at the wire. Mirinaque (ARG), the 5-1 second choice, closed well to finish second, with Sandino Ruler holding on for third. Cool Day (ARG), the defending champion and 2-1 favorite, finished ninth.

Village King began his career in Argentina with five starts and was then sent to the U.S. following a third-place finish in the 2017 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. Under the care of trainer Todd Pletcher, Village King made eight starts, highlighted by a win in the 2018 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct. After an eighth-place finish in the G1 Man o' War Stakes at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., in May 2019, Village King was returned to Argentina and won his first race on more familiar ground, taking the 1 ½-mile G2 Progreso at San Isidro.

Following a second-place finish in the G1 Copa De Oro-Alfredo Lalor, Village King finished third in last year's Carlos Pellegrini, just slightly more than a half-length behind Cool Day. He continued his solid form into 2021, reeling off three consecutive turf victories at San Isidro, taking the G1 Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz, the G3 Porteno, and the G1 25 de May – Copa Dr. Enrique de Hoz. The streak ended Oct. 24 in the G1 Longines Gran Premio Latino Americano on dirt at Maronas Nacional Racecourse in Uruguay, where he finished fourth, 6 ¼ lengths behind Aero Trem (BRZ).

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, the Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Village King to start in the 1 ½-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. Breeders' Cup also will provide a $40,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24, 2022, to receive the rewards.

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Defending Champion Cool Day Takes On Argentine Horse Of The Year Mirinaque In Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini

Led by defending champion Cool Day (ARG), multiple Group 1-winner Village King (ARG), and 2020 Argentine Horse of the Year Mirinaque (ARG), a wide-open field of 19 runners has been entered for Saturday's 1 ½-mile Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional (G1) at Hipódromo de San Isidro. The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional winner will receive an automatic starting position into the 2022 $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional, South America's most prestigious race, is the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2022 season.

Francisco Pérez Werthein's 4-year-old Cool Day (ARG), a son of John F Kennedy (IRE), won the 2020 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional by a half-length over favored Pinball Wizard (ARG) in a thrilling stretch drive in just his fourth start. It was also the sixth victory in the race for trainer Alfredo Gaitan Dassie. Cool Day was sidelined with an injury for the next 10 months, but returned on Oct. 30 at San Isidro to win the 1 ½-mile Gran Premio Copa–Alfredo Lalor (G1) by 2 ½ lengths. Cool Day will be ridden by Eduardo Ortega Pavon from post 17.

Haras El Angel De Venecia's 7-year-old Village King (ARG) has been a stakes winner in both Argentina and in the United States. Trained by Carly Etchechoury, Village King, a bay son of Campanologist out of the Pleasant Tap mare Villard, has won eight times in 20 starts. Following a third-place finish in the 2017 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, Village King was sent to the U.S. where he made his next eight starts for trainer Todd Pletcher, highlighted by a win in the 2018 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct. After an eighth-place finish in the Man o' War (G1) at Belmont Park in May 2019, Village King was returned to Argentina and won his first race on more familiar ground, taking the 1 ½-mile Progreso (G2) at San Isidro.

Following a second-place finish in the Copa De Oro, Village King finished third in last year's Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, just slightly more than a half-length behind Cool Day. He continued his solid form into 2021, reeling off three consecutive turf victories at San Isidro, taking the Miguel Alfredo Martinez de Hoz (G1), the Porteno (G3) and the 25 de May–Copa Dr. Enrique de Hoz (G1). The streak ended Oct. 24 in the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) on dirt at Maronas Nacional Racecourse in Uruguay, where he finished fourth, 6 ¼ lengths behind Aero Trem (BRZ). Martin Valle has the mount, breaking from post nine.

Mirinaque, an internationally campaigned 5-year-old, owned and trained by Maria Cristina Munoz, won four races on dirt during his 2019-20 season as a 3-year-old, including the Group 1 Nacional at Palermo. He finished second, just three-quarters of a length behind Nao Da Mais (BRZ) in the 2019 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini and also finished second in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano. Those performances earned him the Argentine Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year titles.

He was sent to the U.S. in 2020, but did not win any of his five starts there. He finished fifth in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, and his best result was a runner-up placing in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on the Saturday Breeders' Cup undercard at Keeneland. This year, after a seventh-place finish in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Saudi Arabia, Mirinaque was sent back to Argentina, and in June finished second in the Gran Premio 25 De Mayo–Copa Dr. Enrique Olivera (G1). He finished fifth in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano as the 3-1 second choice, and in his most recent start on Nov. 19, finished second in the 1 ½-mile Dardo Rocha Internacional (G1) on dirt at La Plata in Argentina. Mirinaque will be ridden by Gustavo Calvente from post five.

Las Monjitas Polo's 3-year-old Vespaciano (ARG), by Daniel Boone (BRZ), has won three of his four career starts, all at San Isidro. Trained by Carlos Daniel Etchechoury, Vespaciano broke his maiden on May 8 in a 7-furlong race, and won again at 7 furlongs on June 16 in the listed Clasico Manuel Anasagasti. He stepped up in class to the Group 1 Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas on Aug. 7 at 1 mile, and came from last to first to win it by 4 lengths. Vespaciano suffered his first defeat in his most recent start, the 1 ¼-mile Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) on Oct. 16. Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Vespaciano took the lead passing the half-mile pole and battled hard down the stretch before finishing third behind Zodiacal (ARG). Vespaciano will be ridden from post three by Adrian Giannetti.

Elegante De 9's Sandino Ruler (ARG) has won three of his last four starts on dirt after an unsuccessful North American campaign in which he went winless in six starts. Trained by Juan Saldivia, Sandino Ruler, a 6-year-old son of Roman Ruler, won three consecutive races at Palermo, first taking the 1 1/8-mile Invierno Stakes on July 5. He won his next two starts, capturing the Peru Stakes (G2) on July 26 and then the 1 ¼-mile Italia Stakes (G3) on Sept. 26. His streak was stopped, however, when he finished eighth at the 5-1 third choice in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano. Juan Noriega has the mount, starting from post one.

Also of interest is Los Vikingos' 4-year-old Athelsta (URU) who will be making his first start in Argentina after nine races at Maronas in Uruguay. Trained by Facundo Santesteban, Athelsta has won six times, including his last five. A son of Midas Touch (GB) out of the More Than Ready mare Mas Que Lista, Athelsta won his two most recent races at 1 1/2 miles, and by a nose both times. On Oct. 3, Athelsta took the Gran Premio de Honor Stakes and followed up that score by taking the Clasico Carlos Pellegrini on Nov. 6. Athelsta will break from post 19 under jockey Fabian Hector.

As a part of the benefits of the Challenge series, the Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini–Internacional to start in the 1 ½-mile Longines Breeders' Cup Turf. Breeders' Cup also will provide a $40,000 travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24, 2022, to receive the rewards.

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Breeders’ Cup Spot Up for Grabs in Carlos Pellegrini

The first automatic fees-paid berth to the 2022 Breeders' Cup will be handed out this Saturday in Argentina when the G1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini, also known as the 'South American Arc', is run at the historic Hipodromo de San Isidro. The winner will punch their ticket to the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, to be held in 2022 at Keeneland.

Contested over 2,400 meters, about 1 1/2 miles, on the massive San Isidro turf course with about a three-furlong stretch run, the Pellegrini was won last year in a thrilling three-way duel by rail-running Cool Day (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) (video), who is back to defend his title. Bred by the historic Haras Abolengo farm, the 4-year-old chestnut went to the bench for over 10 months after his 2020 Pellegrini score, ruling out a Breeders' Cup try, but returned with a dominant 3 1/2-length victory in the G1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro here Oct. 30.

The most important race in South America, the Pellegrini is named after Carlos Enrique Jose Pellegrini, the first president of the Argentinian Jockey Club and one of its founding members when it was created in 1882. The race was first run in 1887, as the International Grand Prix, over 3,000 meters (about 1 7/8 miles) with Stiletto streaking to victory in 3:27 2/5. It quickly lived up to its 'international' billing, with French raider Athos II taking the trophy in 1890 and 1892. Overall, horses bred in countries other than Argentina have won the Pellegrini 17 times, with Brazilian Nao da Mais (T H Approval) being the most recent successful invader in 2019. The race regularly attracts horses from Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay.

The grand finale of the racing season in Argentina, the Pellegrini holds a US$200,000 purse and unofficially bestows the title of the best horse in South America. It's the headliner of 'International Day' at San Isidro, which also features the 2,000-meter G1 Gran Premio Copa de Plata, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff or GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the 1,600-meter G1 Gran Premio Joaquin S. de Anchorena, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Mile and the 1,000-meter G1 Gran Premio Alzaga Unzue, similar to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The Anchorena has been won by names well familiar to U.S. racing fans, including the legendary Candy Ride (Arg) (Ride the Rails) and Lord At War (Arg) (General {Fr}) as well as 2014 GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. hero Winning Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize).

The Pellegrini is also a major social event on the Argentine calendar, with tens of thousands of people, including many Argentine celebrities, flocking to San Isidro for the race every year. The attendance record was set in 1986 when over 100,000 people showed up to see undefeated Fain (Arg) (Dancing Moss {GB}) take the trophy, and approximately 60,000 people are expected to attend this year.

Uruguayan jockey Irineo Leguisamo, considered the most decorated South American jockey of the 20th century, holds the record for most victories in the Pellegrini with 10 from 1924 through 1962; no other rider has won more than four. Juan Lapistoy and Alfredo Gaitan Dassie share the record for most Pellegrini conquests by a trainer with six apiece. Gaitan Dassie, who trains Cool Day, has a chance to take over the record by himself Saturday. Fourteen fillies and mares have defeated the boys in the Pellegrini, and there were dead heats for the win in 1915 and 1923.

Other contenders in this year's running include venerable 7-year-old Village King (Arg) (Campanologist), who ran in the U.S. in 2018 and 2019, picking up a score in the 2018 Red Smith S. and running third in the GII Pan American S. the following spring. This year, he is undefeated in three starts over the San Isidro lawn, picking up a pair of Group 1 triumphs in the 2,000-meter Gran Premio Martinez de Hoz and 2,400-meter Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (video). Mirinaque (Arg) (Hurricane Cat) also boasts U.S. graded stakes success. Though winless since taking the G1 Argentine Derby in 2019, he ran second in last year's GII Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. at Keeneland on the Breeders' Cup undercard and was a narrow runner-up to Village King in the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo. Overall, 19 horses are entered in the field.

The Carlos Pellegrini goes as the 13th race on a 17-race card Saturday at San Isidro with a scheduled post time of 7:35 local time (5:35 p.m. ET).

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Record Wagering, Safe Racing Highlight Del Mar’s 2021 Seasons

Del Mar brought to a close its 2021 racing calendar on Sunday with the conclusion of its eighth Bing Crosby Season adding additional luster to its robust summer stand. Between them, the pair totaled an exceptional combined final wagering mark of $943.49 million, a record for the seaside oval.

The track could point to many other positives throughout the 2021 year – the return of racing fans, exceptional purses for its horsemen, hosting another record-setting Breeders' Cup among them. But the standard the track is proudest of is its continuing mark as America's safest major racetrack. Only one horse was injured catastrophically in the 426 races and 3,552 starters that performed during the two sessions, a mark that is unmatched in the country.

Total handle for the four-week, 13-day fall session was $171.58 million. The fall meet average daily handle was a record $13.19 million, which was 1.0% higher than the record average daily handle posted last year.

The Breeders' Cup – conducted at Del Mar on November 5 and 6 – had a common-pool handle of $183,260,127, a two-day record for the championship event.

When Del Mar last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2017, it posted a then-record handle of $166,077,486. The new mark is 10.4% higher than that.

Del Mar's wagering in 2021 totaled $943.49 million, 21.3% higher than the previous record of $778.97 million set in 2017 the last time Del Mar hosted the Breeders' Cup.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's CEO, Joe Harper, said he was extremely pleased by events at his track over the year.

“I am exceptionally proud of our team and seeing all their hard work come to such wonderful fruition over the course of the two seasons,” he said. “We put on a helluva Breeders' Cup show once again; we were at our best for the best. And we're safe, very safe. That's just the best of all.”

“The racing world once again got to see what we're spoiled with every year – one of the best operations in the industry,” said Gary Fenton, chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “Breeders' Cup kicked off another wonderful meet and we're so grateful for the entire DMTC team. TOC couldn't ask for a better partner.”

The track's Ship & Win program – where it encourages horsemen and horsewomen to bring their runners to Del Mar for both of its seasons and has proven to be one of the great thoroughbred magnets in the country – had another banner session. Sixty-seven new runners came to town this fall under the program with six of them making a second start during the Bing Crosby Season. All told, 1,885 “S&W” runners have come to California since the program was put in place 11 years ago.

Its fall Turf Festival again drew high-class runners from across the land to compete in its seven-race stand over the final weekend of the meet. More than a dozen stakes aces shipped in to take on the local runners in the rich events.

The track's fall riding king was Juan Hernandez with his 17 firsts from 79 mounts during the 15-day (counting the Breeders' Cup) session. It is his first riding title at Del Mar. The top trainer was Phil D'Amato who registered 15 firsts from 52 starters. It is his first fall riding championship, but his third at the track overall.

Racing will return to Del Mar next July 22 for the track's 83rd summer season.

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