The Breeders ‘Cup Challenge: Win and You’re In’ series introduces two races in South America on June 26, awarding the winners of automatic starting places to the 2022 Breeders’ Cup World Championship. in Keeneland.
At Hipodromo Gavea in Brazil, Stud Valentin & Jarussi’s 3 years old Nautilus won the Grande Premio Brasil (G1) 1/2 mile and earned a spot in the Breeders ‘Cup Challenge at the US$4 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) while competing at the Hipodromo Monterrico in Peru, Stud. Patriots ‘5 year old mare Ola Perfecta closed strongly inside the final leg to prevail in the 1/4 mile Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) and win an invitation to the Mark Breeders ‘2 million US Dollar Filly & Mare Turf Producers Cup ( G1T).
Nautilus, coached by Nilson Lima and ridden to victory by Rudinick Viana, is the son of 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Drosselmeyer out of Point Given mare Namaste. Defeated 15-1 in a 14-horse race, the Nautilus made a concerted effort from eighth at the start of the stretch and split the last quarter of a mile for the upper hand. Don Cambay by a neck at the wire. Atomic height finished in third place, followed by favorites 7-2 Sweet gentleman.
On winning his fifth race in 17 starts and his second on grass this year, the Nautilus finished 1 1/2 in a time of 2:30.81 on a soft track. His most recent victory was at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim in Sao Paulo, when he started the 1/8 mile race. His best performance in a stake race was a runner-up in last year’s Grande Premio Jockey Club de Sao Paulo (G1).
In Gran Premio Pamplona, Ola Perfecta made her 24th career start. Trained by Alfredo Chamy and ridden by Carlos Trujillo, Ola Perfecta found her best footing at the top of the stretch, having overtaken the leader Africa in the protracted final and then held the late rally of Raika to claim a 1-way long win. Favorite Samay Complete 2 third return length.
Ola Perfecta, a 6-year-old daughter of Koko Mambo, completing 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.02 on a course listed as normal. She has now won nine of her 20 starts on grass, and turned the tables on Raika, who defeated Ola Perfecta in Clasico Republica Argentina (G3) in her final match at Monterrico on the 28th. May.
As part of the Series Challenge benefits, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fee to Nautilus to start at the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf and for Ola Perfecta to join Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Breeders’ Cup will also provide travel allowance to all starters based outside North America to compete at the World Championships.
