By Michael Burns
Odds-on choice Kiriaki fought off a strong challenge from second-choice Hispanidad in a heated stretch drive to earn the first automatic starting position into this year's $2-million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge. Winner of last year's G1 Estrellas Classic over Monday's distance, Kiriaki returned with a vengeance after a tough defeat in this event in 2016 when caught in the last jump. Monday's triumph represented Kiriaki's third Group 1 victory and second of the year. All five of her career tallies have come on dirt at Palermo.
Monday, Palermo, Argentina
GRAN PREMIO CRIADORES-G1, ARS825,000 (US$53,560/£41,374/€49,082), 5-1, Palermo, f/m, 3yo/up, 2000m, 2:00.45, ft.
1–KIRIAKI (ARG), 132, f, 4, by Catcher In The Rye (Ire)
1st Dam: Kiria (Arg) (GSP-Arg), by Interprete (Arg)
2nd Dam: Key to Time (Arg), by Fitzcarraldo (Arg)
3rd Dam: Kefallinia (Arg), by Saint Sever (Fr)
O/B-Stud Santa Ines (Arg); T-Juan Udaondo. J-Gustavo E.
Calvente. Lifetime Record: 13-5-4-3. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Hispanidad (Arg), 125, f, 3, Pure Prize–Historia (Arg), by
French Deputy. O/B-Haras La Providencia (Arg); T-Pedro Nickel
Filho.
3–Magica Stripes (Arg), 132, f, 4, Equal Stripes (Arg)–Magica
Star (Arg), by Stargaze (Arg); O-Stud Las Canarias; B-Estancia La
Josefina (Arg); T-Roberto Pellegata.
Margins: HD, 1HF, 4. Odds: 1.50, 3.70, 21.00.
Also Ran: Kononkop (Arg), Silver Look (Arg), Mantera Rye (Arg), Adora Listel (Arg), Sing In Holiday (Arg).
Click for the Palermo chart, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Palermo Video.
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