Avenge her only failure, Stud Wall Street’s 4-year-old boy samay claimed the seven-stage victory on June 25 1 1/4 mile Gran Premio Pamplona (G1) at Hipodromo de Monterrico in Lima, Peru. With this victory, the daughter of power world won an automatic start and fees are paid into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In.
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 80 ranked/Group races in which the winner receives an automatic starting position and fees are paid for a respective race of the Breeders’ Cup World Championship, scheduled to be held on November 3-4 at Santa Anita . Park.
Samay joins Chafewinner of Cartier Paddock Stakes (G1T) in South Africa and song who won the Victoria Mile (G1T) in Japan, as the first runner to win a freestyle start at this year’s Filly & Mare Turf.
Samay, coached by Juan Suarez and ridden by Carlos Herrera, has improved her record to nine wins in 10 starts, with her only defeat coming at Gran Premio Pamplona last year, when she came in third.
In Sunday’s race, Samay broke through cautiously from 3rd place with a favorite 5-1 in the field of 13 fillings and mares. She was spent out of the speed of Herrera through the first six long feathers, while Stud Dos G’s 4-year-old student raika who finished second in last year’s race, caught up to the pace early after taking the lead and leading by four abundant past the first 800 meters. Approaching the far turn, Samay moved smoothly inside, while Abundancia briefly led Raika at the top of the lane. Then, suddenly, Herrera shifted Samay off the tracks and onto another gear and the boy responded with a tremendous sprint, swerving past Abundancia and making an impressive finish. Abundancia holds second place, with Raika in third.
Samay completed 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.22 on a course listed as fixed. She has won four races in a row, including her first group win in the May 28 El Clasico Republica Argentina (G3T) match that started earlier.
As part of the Challenge Series benefits, Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fee to get Samay started in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will run at 1 1/4 mile in Santa Anita. The Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters outside of North America to compete at the World Championships. Challenge winners must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the registration deadline by October 23 to claim their rewards.
The Grand Premio Pamplona is the fifth and final Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series race in South America for the 2023 season.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
