Soy Carambolo Aims to Repeat in Pellegrini

by Michael Burns

Argentina´s 2013 Horse of the Year, Soy Carambolo (Arg) (Val Royal {Fr}), victor of last year´s G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, 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 (Arg) (Full Sail {GB}) in 1944-45 and Storm Mayor (Arg) (Bernstein) in 2005-06. The 1 1/2-mile race has attracted a stellar field, including El Moises (Arg) (Manipulator) and Interdetto (Arg) (Roman Ruler), one-two finishers of the G1 Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby), who will be squaring off against their elders for the first time; including G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha hero Idolo Porteno (Arg) (Jump Start) and a trio of foreign invaders that includes Peruvian representatives Sotil (Chi) (Ivan Denisovich {Ire}) and U.S.-bred Sonny Corleone (Mr. Greeley), first two under the wire in the qualifying G2 Clasico Presidente de la Republica in Lima; as well as Brazilian representative Comical (Brz) (Linngari), a winner of three of nine starts in Sao Paulo. No 3-year old has won the continent´s most emblematic race since Freddy (Arg) (Roy) in 2002. The last winner of the Dardo Rocha to captured the Pellegrini was Second Reality (Arg) (Hidden Prize) in 2001. 

In the 18-horse field for the G1 Gran Premio Copa de Plata-Roberto Vasquez Mansilla, 3-year-old standout Kalithea (Arg) (Exchange Rate), will bid to close her 2014 season on a high note after recording victories at Palermo in both the G1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (Argentine 1000 Guineas) and G1 Gran Premio Seleccion (Argentine Oaks), 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 3-year-old Beverly Hills Stud homebred Last Kiss (Brz) (Elusive Quality), heroine of the G1 Grande Premio Henrique de Toledo Lara and runner-up in the G1 Grande Premio Diana (Sao Paulo Oaks), her most recent start at Cidade Jardim. 

The one-mile G1 Gran Premio Joaquin S. De Anchorena lured 23 starters, including G1 Gran Premio San Isidro hero Il Fornaio (Arg) (Orpen), who will try to successfully defend that title against an accomplished group of 23 milers, that also includes Brazilian invader Kip Keyno (Brz) (Northern Afleet) and Argentine-bred Craps (Arg) (Orpen), representing Peru. 

Finally, all eyes will be on sprint specialist Lenovo (Arg) (Roman Ruler), who will seek a record fifth 
Group 1 victory this season in the five-furlong G1 Gran Premio Felix de Alzaga Unzue, which attracted the most number of entries with 27.