Cancha Rayada made the difficult look easy and achieved her first classic-level victory
The daughter of Strategos confirmed her great form in the República de Ecuador, where she dominated early and held off the strong late run of Hi Crystal
LA PLATA.— The nose loss to Franta (Fortify) had left unfinished business, and Cancha Rayada made sure to settle the score in the best possible way. In the Clásico República de Ecuador, held on Saturday over 1,500 meters of wet dirt, the dark bay mare from Stud Vabell lived up to her role as heavy favorite and authority-drivenly secured the first stakes victory of her campaign.
Franco Menéndez once again clicked with the trainee of Néstor Bustos. Without entangling her in an exhausting duel,he settled her third, close to the pace set by Total Triomphe (Cima de Triomphe), followed by Camionette (Fortify).The daughter of Strategos traveled comfortably, always under control.
As they approached the turn, the top three grouped together. Cancha Rayada closed the gap without being pushed, and as soon as they hit the stretch, she took command. Franco Menéndez guided her toward the rails, asked for the decisive effort, and the favorite responded with an acceleration that allowed her to pull away to a clear advantage.
The matter was settled, but Hi Crystal (Hi Happy) had one final move prepared. The daughter of Hi Happy, who had unhurriedly raced far back, rallied out wide and closed ground strongly. She gained significant ground in the final strides, though Cancha Rayada preserved a 1-length margin at the wire. Camionette finished third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up, and Total Triomphe, who had led the way, rounded out fourth, half a length further back. The clock stopped at 1m31s33/100.
It was worth comparing what happened 18 days earlier in the Handicap Haras Don Florentino. There, Cancha Rayada had fought to the final stride with Franta (Fortify) and lost by a nose, while Hi Crystal finished third, five lengths behind the daughter of Strategos. This time the margin between the two narrowed to one length, a credit to the runner-up, without taking away any merit from the winner.
For Cancha Rayada, it was her fourth victory in 13 starts. Bred by Haras El Paraíso, she was coming off two consecutive allowance victories before her narrow defeat in the handicap, and now confirmed her rise with a stakes conquest. Néstor Bustos and Franco Menéndez contributed their part.
There is also a genetic backing worth highlighting. Her dam, Sarahri (Sebi Halo), winner of four races, is a full sister to Serenity Jane, the dam of the outstanding miler El Exito (Il Campione), a multiple G1 winner. Both are daughters of Inter Ferrari (Intérprete), a full sister to G1 winner Inter Cleante (Intérprete).
Following the pedigree tree leads to Orientadora (Pepenador), one of the great broodmares of our turf, dam of champion Cleante (Kleiglight) and Orientado Tom (Shy Tom), both G1 winners. A family with enormous history,which continues to supply quality.
Cancha Rayada still has a long way to go, but on Saturday at El Bosque, she stopped being just a mare on the rise.She is now a stakes winner, and she accomplished it by making everything look quite simple.
