Liberal Scores for Peru in Latinoamericano

Before a packed house, Peru spoiled the party for the host team when Peruvian dual classic winner Liberal (Per) (Meal Penalty) prevailed in the 31st running of South America’s multi-national Group 1 Longines Gran Premio Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubes e Hipodromos at Palermo in Buenos Aires. 

Liberal sat in a perfect stalking position before running on to beat Argentine multiple Group 1 winner Dont Worry (Arg) (Sultry Song) in South America’s top weight-for-age event. The win stamps the Peruvian colt as one of South America´s leading three-year-olds. 

Racing for Stud The Fathers, Liberal gave Peru their fourth ‘away’ triumph in a race they were winning for the ninth time. 
Katmai, a Chilean-bred three-year-old son of Scat Daddy, finished third, a half-length in front of race favorite and G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini hero Idolo Porteno (Arg) (Jump Start) in the 12-runner field representing four Part I South American nations. 

After 31 runnings of the Latinoamericano, Brazil and Peru lead the championship with nine victories each. Argentina has now failed to celebrate a ‘home’ win the last three times the continental championship has been staged locally and not since Don Incauto (Roy) captured the 2005 renewal on turf at San Isidro. 

An international campaign is likely to be under consideration next for Liberal, who entered the race off consecutive wins in the G1 Clasico Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos and G1 Clasico Derby Nacional (Peruvian Derby), the second and third legs of the Peruvian Cuadruple Crown. 

The Gran Premio Latinoamericano moves on to La Gavea Racecourse in Rio de Janeiro next year. 

Meal Penalty, a son of Tale of the Cat who cost $350,000 at the Barretts May sale in 2007, won five of his 15 career starts while under the tutelage of Todd Pletcher, including the grassy Arlington Classic in 2010.

Saturday, Palermo, Argentina 
LONGINES GRAN PREMIO ASOCIACION LATINOAMERICANA DE JOCKEY CLUBES E HIPODROMOS-G1, $1,000,000, Palermo, 3-14, 3yo/up, 2100m, 2:09.81, ft. 
1–LIBERAL (PER), 122, c, 3, by Meal Penalty 
     1st Dam: Democracia (Per) (Co. Ch. 3yo Filly-Per, G1SP-Per), by Play the Gold 
     2nd Dam: Yaku (Per), by Privato 
     3rd Dam: Classy Prancer, by Show Dancer 
O-Stud The Fathers; B-Haras Los Azahares (Per); T-Camilo Traverso II; J-Edwin Talaverano; $600,000 Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Per, 7-4-1-2. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dont Worry (Arg), 134, h, 5, Sultry Song–Even Better (Arg), by Lucky Roberto. O-Stud CAR; B-Rene Ayub & Haras Rodeo Chico (Arg); T-Rene Ayub. $200,000. 
3–Katmai (Chi), 119, c, 3, Scat Daddy–Kossanova, by Fly So Free. O-Stud Quinchao; B-Haras Paso Nevado (Chi); T-Juan Baeza. $100,000. 
Margins: NK, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 9.15, 6.95, 45.80. 
Also Ran: Idolo Porteno (Arg), Alex Rossi (Arg), Interdetto (Arg), Blood Money (Arg), Sweet Cazanova (Arg), Papa Inc (Arg), Furia Cruzada (Chi), Sono Bianco Nero (Chi), Generoso (Uru). 
Click for the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.