First 2023 BC Berth at Stake in Carlos Pellegrini
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Photo: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley
Mirinaque trains before a race in Saudi Arabia at King Abdulaziz Racetrack
Led by group 1 winners Durazzo, Mirinaque , and El Musical, a field of 15 has been entered for the 1 1/2-mile Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional (G1) at Hipodromo de San Isidro Dec. 17 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional winner will receive an automatic starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) next year through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. The 2023 Breeders' Cup takes place Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.
The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional, South America's most prestigious race, is the first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race of the 2023 season.
Marias Del Sur S.A.'s 4-year-old Durazzo, trained by Ruben Quiroga, comes into the race having won his last six starts dating back to March, which includes three group 1 wins.
Maria Christina Munoz is the owner and trainer of the 6-year-old Mirinaque, Argentina's 2020 Horse of the Year and the runner-up in last year's Carlos Pellegrini. A gray son of Hurricane Cat , Mirinaque is on a four-race winning streak, which includes two group 1s.
Other contenders include 3-year-old El Musical, group 1 winner Nino Guapo, a winner of three of his last four, and two-time group 1 winner Irwin, who is making his return to the races since finishing 14th in the UAE Derby Sponsored by Mubadala (G2) at Meydan in March.