Petkovic makes history in the Gran Premio Nacional and emerges as a prime candidate for the Ramírez

he son of Kentuckian won the Maroñas Derby in track-record time; Olympic Olympic sparkled in the Clásico Carlos Pellegrini (G3) and could target San Isidro, while Argentine-bred Copy Link stood out among the fillies and mares

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Special for Turf Diario).— The Gran Premio Nacional (G2) produced one of the most sensational performances of the Uruguayan season. Petkovic dominated the Maroñas Derby with staggering authority,shattering the track record for 2500 meters on the dirt and instantly inserting himself into the main picture for the January 6 Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1). Sunday's showcase meeting also featured two standout turf winners: Olympic Olympic (Alpha) and Argentine-bred Copy Link (Daddy Long Legs).

The son of Kentuckian and Pizza, who races for Stud Forli, arrived with plenty of scores to settle against key rivals.He had finished second behind Es Patriarca (Awesome Patriot) in the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G3) and third behind Abrileño Fever (Texas Fever) and International Star (Drosselmeyer) in the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G3). This time, with José Luis Da Silva in the irons for trainer Bruno Firmino, he reversed the form in spectacular fashion.

Es Patriarca set the early tempo, tracked closely by Abrileño Fever, while Petkovic settled into a comfortable third.When the Jockey Club winner struck to the lead turning into the home lane, he looked poised to land a second classic jewel. However, Petkovic unleashed an explosive change of gear, kicking past him to pull away with supreme dominance. International Star rallied to claim second, leaving Abrileño Fever to settle for third.

The timer underscored the magnitude of the achievement: 2:35.08, shaving ten-hundredths of a second off the track record set by Ad Better (Hearty) back in November 2004. It was not merely a classic victory, but a dramatic leap in class that positions him as a premier candidate facing older horses. The Ramírez remains nearly two months away, but the 3-year-old colt has put forward a candidacy that demands full attention.

Another performance of immense weight unfolded over 2400 meters in the Clásico Carlos Pellegrini (L). There,Olympic Olympic validated his previous victory in the Gran Premio de Honor. Partnered by Héctor Lazo, the Alphacolt trained by Roberto Solanes for Haras Regina stopped the clock in 2:27.53, holding off Steinkevjczuk (Going Somewhere) with post-time favorite Galikovic (Goldikovic) back in third. Native Extreme (Emcee), winner of the last Ramírez, finished fourth.

The victory opens an intriguing option: his connections are considering a trip to Argentina for the Gran Premio International Carlos Pellegrini (G1) on December 12 at San Isidro. While a final decision has yet to be confirmed,his current form fully justifies high-level ambition on the South American turf stage.

The third stakes feature of the program, the Clásico Nicolás Storace Arrosa y Nicolás Storace Montes over 2100 meters on the grass, went to Copy Link. The Argentine-bred daughter of Daddy Long Legs, racing for Stud La Lata,extended her sharp run of form under jockey Diogo González for trainer Facundo Santesteban. Crossing the line in 2:08.67, she spearheaded an all-Argentine top three ahead of Palma del Cielo (Treasure Beach) and Bonita Johana(John F Kennedy).

Three feature winners, three clear statements: a colt making history against the clock, a stayer targeting San Isidro, and an improving mare building her legacy.