Eccentric Pulled Off the Upset in Santiago and Secured Her Spot in the Breeders' Cup Turf
- Turf Diario
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The daughter of Ivan Denisovich defeated males and females alike in the Gran Premio Club Hípico Falabella and earned Chile another ticket to Keeneland
SANTIAGO, Chile (Special to Turf Diario).- She had finished second, third, and even fifth behind some of the best fillies of her generation.
She had shown talent, consistency, and courage, but she was still missing that defining breakthrough performance that would establish her among the stars of Chilean racing.
That moment arrived on Sunday in the Clásico Club Hípico-Falabella (G1), where Eccentric (Ivan Denisovich)delivered the finest effort of her career, defeating males and females alike over 2000 meters on the turf at Club Hípico de Santiago and, in the process, securing an automatic berth in October's Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Keeneland.
The race was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, guaranteeing the Haras Don Albertohomebred a starting position in one of the most prestigious races of the World Championships.
And she earned it in style.
Trained by Patricio Baeza and ridden by Óscar Ulloa, the 3-year-old filly finally found the perfect opportunity to turn the tables on rivals who had frustrated her throughout much of the season.
Among them was Noche Sublime (Mendelssohn), who defeated her in December's Las Oaks (G1) and subsequently finished ahead of her in several major races. Also in the field was Nartella (Mendelssohn), winner of the Carlos Campino (G2) just weeks earlier, with Eccentric once again finishing second.
This time, however, the story would be different.
Positioned in mid-pack while the field stretched out behind moderate fractions, Eccentric traveled comfortably throughout. Ulloa remained patient approaching the stretch and, once he found racing room, the response was immediate.
Displaying a devastating turn of foot, the daughter of Ivan Denisovich swept past her rivals and seized command with just over 200 meters remaining.
It appeared she had done enough.
But Noche Sublime was not finished.
Finding a seam between horses, she launched a determined late challenge and quickly set her sights on the leader.
The final stages were thrilling.
Eccentric repelled every surge from her longtime rival and managed to preserve a head advantage at the wire, while My Way (Mendelssohn) completed the trifecta in third.
The clock stopped at 1:57.89, underscoring the quality of a performance that may well prove a turning point in her career.
The victory carried additional significance as it represented Eccentric's first triumph against males.
And it was hardly a fluke.
The bay filly has put together an extraordinarily consistent campaign, finishing out of the money only once in 12 career starts.
Interestingly, that lone exception came in El Derby (G1), contested over the same 2400-meter distance she will encounter in the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Even then, she was beaten only 2 1/2 lengths, a result that fuels optimism about her ability to handle the demanding distance of the international championship.
She had also previously demonstrated stamina by finishing third in another Group 1 event over 2400 meters during the spring.
Now the challenge becomes considerably greater.
The Breeders' Cup Turf traditionally attracts the finest middle-distance and staying horses in the world, particularly from Europe.
Yet fillies and mares have enjoyed success in the race before.
The most recent to do so was the Irish star Tarnawa (Shamardal), who captured the 2020 edition at Keeneland.
There remains a long road between now and October.
But Eccentric has already accomplished something few horses ever do: defeat all challengers in one of Chile's most important races and earn her place on racing's global stage.
After months of chasing the best, she finally found her defining moment.
And now her sights are set firmly on Kentucky.
