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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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Argentine Group 1 Winner Mirinaque To Make First Start For Wesley Ward In Queens County Stakes

Parque Patricios Racing Stables' Mirinaque will attempt to parlay a strong runner-up effort against graded stakes company into his fourth start in North America in Saturday's $100,000 Queens County for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The Argentinian-bred son of Hurricane Cat will make his first start for trainer Wesley Ward, who took over training duties from Maria Munoz.

Mirinaque arrives off a sharp second-place effort at 33-1 odds in the Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Marathon on Nov. 6 at Keeneland, where he secured a stalking position along the rail, made a four-wide move around the far turn and briefly took command just inside the eighth-pole.

Mirinaque was unable to fend off Rocketry's devastating late turn-of-foot, finishing one length back in the 1 5/8-mile route, but still earned black type for the first time in the United States.

A G1 winner in his native country when taking the one-mile Polla de Potrillos in September 2019, Mirinaque made his first start in the country on Aug. 22 when fifth to Maximum Security in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and subsequently shipped to Keeneland for the G2 Fayette on Oct. 10, where he finished eighth.

“Maria asked if I could take over the training when she went back to Argentina,” Ward said. “She was stabled in our barn at Keeneland and I got to know her going into the Fayette.”

Ward said that Mirinaque began flourishing in his training when being introduced to some new surroundings and moved to Ward's barn located right next to Keeneland.

“I have a tobacco barn that's adjacent to Keeneland. It sits up on the hill where the breeze blows through it,” Ward said. “That's where all my Royal Ascot horses go; all my horses going to Europe all stable there. Horses that go up there seem to relish it a lot and demolish their feed tub and that's really what happened to this guy. We look forward to hopefully a good run. He ran well last time.”

Mirinaque recently worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Dec. 11 at Keeneland.

“I kept sending word to Maria that the horse was doing better,” Ward said. “He's stayed in the same stall. He's had some great breezes and he's been doing great. He ran wonderful on Breeders' Cup day and is carrying it into this race.”

Jockey Dylan Davis will ride from post 2.

Multiple stakes-winner Forewarned has attempted victories in some of the most marquee races on the NYRA circuit, but will gain class relief in his next New York endeavor.

Owned by trainer Uriah St. Lewis' Trin-Brook Stables, Forewarned has earned more than a half-million dollars through a 31-8-4-4 record.

Forewarned was unplaced in last year's G1 Whitney and G1 Woodward at Saratoga, as well as the G1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, but returned to New York in June with a third-place finish in the G3 Westchester at Belmont Park.

Foreward was a distant fifth last out in the listed Richard W. Small on Nov. 28 at Laurel Park, and two starts ago was a repeat winner of the 10-furlong Best of Ohio Endurance at Mahoning Valley Race Course.

“He's training well. I think he has a very good shot,” said St. Lewis. “The biggest thing is that he likes the distance. The mile and an eighth is good for him. He relishes longer distances. This horse likes any kind of surface, so as long as you give him distance. I'm pleased with him.”

Jockey Eric Cancel rides from post 6.

Trainer Orlando Noda will saddle Danny California in an attempt for a second stakes triumph. Bred in New York by West Point Thoroughbreds and 3C Thoroughbreds, the 5-year-old chestnut son of Afleet Alex won the Miner's Mark on Sept. 11 at Belmont Park, his fourth triumph in 11 starts this season.

Danny California arrives at the Queens County off a week's rest, having run a distant fifth in the Alex M. Robb against his Empire State-bred counterparts.

Breaking from post 1, Danny California will be ridden by jockey Jorge Vargas, Jr.

Completing the field are Empty Tomb [post 3, Manny Franco], Backsideofthemoon [post 4, Jose Lezcano], Musical Heart [post 5, Kendrick Carmouche] and So High [post 7, Andre Worrie].

The Queens County is slated as Race 9 on Aqueduct's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 11:50 a.m. Eastern.

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Argentine Group 1 Winner Mirinaque Headlines Saturday’s Fayette

Parque Patricios Racing Stables' Mirinaque (ARG), a two-time Group 1 winner in Argentina, headlines a field of 10 runners entered Wednesday for Saturday's 63rd running of the $200,000 Hagyard Fayette (G2) at Keeneland.

The 1 1/8-mile main track test for 3-year-olds and up will go as the eighth race on Saturday's 10-race program with a 4:57 p.m. ET post time. First post Saturday is 1:05 p.m.

Trained by Maria Munoz, Mirinaque finished fifth in the TVG Pacific Classic (G1) on Aug. 22 at Del Mar in his U.S. debut. Mirinaque will be ridden by Gerardo Corrales and break from post position four.

Coming back for another try in the Hagyard Fayette is Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Mr Freeze. Second in the race last year that was run over a sloppy track, the Dale Romans trainee exits a sixth-place finish in the Alysheba (G2) on Sept. 4 at Churchill Downs.

Winner of the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) for his lone 2020 victory, Mr Freeze will break from post position six and be ridden by Javier Castellano.

The field for the Hagyard Fayette, with riders and weights from the rail out, is: Coastal Defense (Joe Talamo, 121 pounds), Captivating Moon (Julien Leparoux, 121), Crafty Daddy (Brian Hernandez Jr., 121), Mirinaque (ARG) (Corrales, 121), Title Ready (Corey Lanerie, 121), Mr Freeze (Castellano, 121), Rated R Superstar (Martin Garcia, 121), Tax (Tyler Gaffalione, 121), Mo Mosa (Florent Geroux, 118) and Aurelius Maximus (Ricardo Santana Jr., 121).

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