El Encinal into 41st Breeder's Cup World Championship

It’s not even Christmas, and already the Argentina 3yo El Encinal is first into the 41st Breeder’s Cup World Championship at San Diago on 1, 2 November 2024.

In taking out the nation’s principal event the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional at Hipodromo de San Isidro outside Buenos Aires, he’s into the $4m Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Courageously ridden by Eduardo Ortega Pavon who drove El Encinal between rivals in the straight of the 2,400m event on turf, before getting the better of No Fear in a thrilling head finish.

The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional is the first of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series ‘Win and You’re In’ of the 2024 season and El Encinal defeated a field of 14 3Y0’s and Older.

In earning an automatic starting slot in to Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, El Encinal won in a time of 2:25.46 with Treasure Island two lengths away in third and Jazz Seiver being a head fourth.

From the race start Eduardo Pavon had El Encinal racing mid-field along the rails, with Happy Happy Day, Treasure Island and No Fear dueling in front, before El Encinal made-all into the straight.

In sustained a command run with 100 meters to go, El Encinal snatched victory from the 3yo filly No Fear in the shadows of the post, who was weighted 51.5kg against the race winner on 53.5kg.

First up from a 10-week spell when sixth to Happy Happy Day in the Gran Premio Jockey Club, he won the Ensayo Copa ‘Santamaria 1800m in September, and August his maiden at his sixth start.

A chestnut 3yo colt by the Champion 2,3YO Chilean sire Il Campione, a son of Scat Daddy, he’s from the Argentine unraced mare Asediada Emper, by Emperor Jones, and was bred by El Paraiso.

Trained by Miguel Alberto Gomez in Sus Datos and racing in the turquoise and white silks of Stud Dona Pancha, who formally had champion Calidoscopio win the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Marathon.

Just beaten, No Fear is trained by Alfredo Gaitan Dassie and is a daughter of Agnes Gold, she last ran a 1¾ lengths third with the males in the Jockey Club, having won the De Potrancas of 1600m.

Being third, Treasure Island is a last start winner of the Gran Premio Copa de Oro of 2400, and being a model of consistency he’s owned by Stud Bien de Abajo and trained by Nicolas Martin Ferro.

The three-way Group 1 winning entry of Natan, Happy Happy Day, and Jazz Seiver – all owned by Stud Las Monjitas, the Argentine top stable, was the 19-10 favorite among 12 betting interests.

No Fear and Treasure Island were both at 7-2 next, with El Encinal in the middling choices at 14.25-1, while Natan, a 25-length winner of the 2022 Jockey Club as a 3yo, was a big disappointment.

Finishing sixth, Natan was rated the top of Stud Las Monjital three runners, having also run third in the Gran Premio Latino Americano, and earlier won Estrellas Classico of 2000m from Jazz Seive.

Trained by Juan Manuel Etchechoury, who also had Happy Happy Day in ninth, and just in his fourth start he had him win the Jockey Club of 2000m, in earlier being third in the Dos Mil Guineas.

The 4yo Jazz Seiver finished fourth, and sixth last year for trained Daniel Bordon, having won the Dos Mil Guineas in 2022, and last start fourth to Treasure Island in the Copa de Oro-Alfredo Lalor.

Today the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional Pellegrini highlights a festive day of racing at San Isidro with the running of four Grade 1 events including Copa de Plata ‘Mansilla Internacional of 2000m for Fillies and Mares