Countdown to March 10 Latinoamericano

The 35th running of the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) takes place March 10 in Santiago, Chile. South America's richest race, run at 2,000 meters (1 1/4 miles) on turf this year at Club Hipico, is worth $500,000.

Beyond the purse, the winner is offered entry (and a £20,000 travel allowance) into any group 1 race, or the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot thanks to an agreement between Ascot, the Latin American Racing Channel, and OSAF (Organización Sudamericana de Fomento del Sangre Pura de Carrera).

An agreement was reached with The Stronach Group, LARC, and OSAF to have a North American runner based on the outcome of the Jan. 26 W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3T). The winner and placed horses, Zulu Alpha, Soglio, and Hunting Horn, respectively, have not accepted the invitation.

Fifteen runners are nominated as of Feb. 14. One entry is awaiting conformation and two other slots are available to be filled by noon Feb. 18. Supplementary terms for entry into the Latinoamericano has been set at $25,000.

Interested parties may reach Patricio Vial at Club Hipico de Santiago (patrico.vial@clubhipico.cl) or Silvina Koremblit at OSAF (skoremblit@osafweb.com/ar).

Top runners nominated include Sixties Song (Sixties Icon—Blissful Song, by Unbridled's Song), winner of the 2017 Latinoamericano held at Valparaiso Sporting Club in Chile and most recently second in the Carlos Pellegrini Internacional (G1) at San Isidoro in Argentina. The 5-year-old has an international rating of 115, one below that of Cariblanco, winner of the Dec. 1 St. Leger (G1) at Hipodromo Chile. Cariblanco is a 3-year-old son of Awesome Patriot—Entera Buena, by Hurricane Cat, bred by Haras Santa Sara.

Also pegged at 115 on the international classifications are Argentina's Nicholas and Dixie Wave from Peru. Nicolas is a 5-year-old son of Equal Stripes—Nandaly, by Catcher In The Rye, has won or placed in 15 of 24 starts. Dixie Wave is a 6-year-old son of Stormy Atlantic—Dixie Witch, by Dixieland Band, who is a six-time grade/group winner and comes into the race off a win in the Clasico Ciudad de Lima (G2) at Hipdromo de Monterrico.

Of note, Chilean-based horses have won all four of the previous runnings at Club Hipico, which could favor Stud Haras Don Alberto-bred Nuevo Maestro, who rides a three-race winning streak in Chile, culminating with a score in the 12-furlong La Copa (G3) Dec. 21. He is a son of Ivan Denisovich (Ire)—Netta (Chi), by Hussonet.