Belleza de Arteaga Victorious in Gran Premio Criadores

Building an eight-race win streak and returning to the main track, Chos Malal's Belleza de Arteaga overtook favored Super Shine in deep stretch May 1 to win the 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Criadores (G1) at Hipodromo de Palermo by a head. With this victory, the 5-year-old mare earned an automatic starting position in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. 

Now in its 16th season, the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which is scheduled to be held Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Trained by Roberto Pellegatta and ridden by William Pereyra, Belleza de Arteaga improved her record to 11 wins in 22 starts. A chestnut daughter of Cosmic Tiger out of Bunny Sand by Footstepsinthesand, 3-1 second choice Belleza de Arteaga covered the 1 1/4 miles in 1:58.97 over a fast track.

Following the race, connections of Chos Malal confirmed to Breeders' Cup South American representative John Fulton that Belleza de Arteaga will be pointed to the 1 1/8-mile Breeders' Cup Distaff. As a part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Belleza de Arteaga to start in the Distaff. A $40,000 travel allowance is also provided for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. 

Starting from post six in the eight-horse field, Belleza de Arteaga broke alertly and tracked just behind pacesetter Lady Guante and Super Shine, who was the 5-2 favorite. Taking control just past the half-mile marker, Super Shine extended her lead to 3 lengths as the field turned for home. Belleza de Arteaga passed Lady Guante and set her sights on the leader in midstretch. Inching closer in the final 100 yards, Belleza de Arteaga surged toward the line in the final yards and put her head in front at the wire.

Super Bijou finished 6 lengths back in third at odds of 15-1, followed in order by defending champion La Validada , Obia Star, Lady Guante, Ohlala Andrea, and Night of Candy.   

Belleza de Arteaga had won her last seven starts dating back to Oct. 8. Her first three victories in the streak were on dirt and the last four were on turf, culminating with a 2-length triumph in the 1 3/8-mile Clasico Gilberto Lerena (G1) April 1 at Palermo.