Gran Mirella Returns to Dirt in a allowance Race at Churchill Downs

The Argentine mare will run one mile this Saturday at Louisville, with Cristian Torres in the saddle against 10 rivals

Gran Mirella After Her Victory at Horseshoe Indianapolis / HI

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).- While Full Serrano (Full Mast) headlines Argentine interest this Saturday in the Goodwood Cup Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, another runner warrants attention under the historic twin spires of Churchill Downs.

The G1 winner Gran Mirella will make her fourth start in the U.S., stepping back in class for the ninth race, an optional claiming allowance for $100,000 with a total purse of $141,000, contested over 1700 meters on dirt.

The Dabster filly, victor of the Gran Premio Selección de Potrancas (G1) 2024 in La Plata, comes off an eleventh-place finish in the Light & Wonder Ladies Marathon Invitational Stakes (G3) at Kentucky Downs, where she struggled on the unique surface. Previously, she had triumphed on dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis, leading all the way in a less competitive allowance, though facing some quality rivals. Trained by Riley Mott for Japanese owner Koji Maeda and bred by Al Adiyaat, the chestnut will be ridden by Cristian Torres and listed at 20/1 on the morning line.

Drawn post 8 of 11, her toughest rival appears to be Perfect Shot (Gun Runner), trained by Steven Asmussen. As a juvenile, she finished second in the Silverbulletday Stakes (L) and third in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2), and she has since posted back-to-back optional claiming wins at Churchill Downs and Saratoga.

Also bringing class to the field is Standoutsensation (Take Charge Indy), under Irad Ortiz Jr., who has won 2 of her last 3 starts at Oaklawn Park and Saratoga, and was fifth in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at three.

Pigalle (Blame) adds experience, with a victory in the Groupie Doll Stakes (L) at Ellis Park, though her form has been mixed. Finally, Arrogate rounds out the list of leading challengers, winner of the Goldfinch Stakes (L), third in the Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes (L) and Fasig-Tipton Dogwood Stakes (G3), and most recently running a pair of fourths.

Gran Mirella will seek to regain her form and make an impact in this competitive optional claiming field at Churchill Downs.