Argentine Filly Violeta M Makes Her U.S. Debut

Racing in the Las Monjitas silks under Chilean Héctor Berríos, she will contest the seventh race, an optional claiming allowance over one mile on the turf

Violeta M Faces a Demanding U.S. Debut / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- Saturday’s card at Del Mar will be filled with attractions, led by the return of Full Serrano (Full Mast) in the Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2) and the Pacific Classic (G1) at the top of the program.

But from the southern part of the continent comes another reason to pay close attention: the U.S. debut of standout Argentine filly Violeta M, who enjoyed a brilliant campaign at San Isidro and Palermo. She is scheduled for the seventh race, a $100,000 optional claiming allowance over one mile on the turf, with $82,000 in prize money.

Racing for the first time in the Las Monjitas LLC colors, the John F. Kennedy filly will break from post 10 in a field of 12—with a couple more listed as also-eligibles should the race move to the dirt—and will be ridden by Chilean Héctor Berríos, long established as one of California’s leading riders.

Under the care of fellow Chilean Marcelo Polanco, the filly bred by the Corporación Argentina de Productores Frutihortícolas and previously campaigned for Stud Chelsea, won nine races, six of them stakes, all under Carlos D. Etchechoury.

Her stakes victories include the Ricardo, Ezequiel, and Ezequiel M. Fernández Guerrico (G2), the Sibila (G2) twice, the Omega (G2), the República Oriental del Uruguay (G3), and the General Las Heras (G3). She was also second in the Gran Premio Estrellas Distaff (G1), third in the Copa Diamante (G1), and fifth against males in the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1).

Inactive since a disappointing effort in the Copa de Plata (G1) last December, Violeta M arrives for this assignment in peak condition, highlighted by her last two works covering a kilometer in 1:59 flat at Del Mar.

She faces several tough opponents, including Sneaker (Oscar Performance), who was second in the Solana Beach Stakes (L) after winning the Fran's Valentine Stakes (L), and Irish-bred Musical Rhapsody (Holy Roman Emperor), Santa Barbara Stakes (L) winner seeking redemption after a stumble in the Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2).

A demanding challenge awaits Violeta M at Del Mar, both in terms of competition and her comeback. But with her abundant talent, she enters the race fully equipped to meet it.