Grandinata overcame the obstacles with a performance that invites dreams of success far beyond her current horizons

The 2025 Champion Juvenile Filly Grandinata Impresses in Turf Debut at Maroñas

Grandinata Notches Perfect Turf Debut / MAROÑAS

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay.— Returning from a layoff and dropping back to a sprint distance, the talented Grandinatarebranded her campaign on Sunday, promising a 2026 season that could rival her formidable haul from last year.

Inactive since September, the daughter of Trinniberg and Granduca (Exchange Rate) was the star of the show at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas. She captured the Clásico José Serrato (L-1200m, firm turf), the featured race on a day that marked the return of racing to the country following the Ramírez festivities and the weather-related cancellation of Saturday’s card at Las Piedras.

Under Waldemar Maciel, the Stud Cabaña El Indio filly competed on the grass for the first time and handled it beautifully, leading from gate to wire without facing a single challenge.

The stretch run was a mere formality for the Sergio Dorneles trainee, who crossed the wire 4 lengths clear of Agostina (Texas Fever), fully justifying her status as the heavy favorite. Another 2 1/4 lengths back, Gringa Loca (A Little Warm) completed the trifecta. The final time was 1:09.56, with fractions of :22.58 and :45.18.

"We are very happy because we had the uncertainty of whether she would adapt to the turf, especially coming off the layoff; she might not have been at 100%, but she responded," said co-owner Martín Alvarez. "2025 was a dream season—we won a lot of important races and the Distinción Maroñas was a beautiful reward. This is thanks to the work of the entire team."

"It wasn't apparent that she was a bit short in training, having only a couple of light breezes. We didn't know how she’d handle the grass, but now we are thrilled," added partner Fernando García. "We haven't looked too far ahead yet; this was the first step, and now we’ll see what Sergio Dorneles decides."

This marked the sixth victory in Grandinata’s excellent career, and her sixth stakes win, having previously captured the Criterium Potrancas (G2), Producción Nacional (G3), Campeones Juvenile Fillies, Juan Amoroso, and Benigno Paiva Irisarri.

After being crowned the best 2-year-old of last season, Grandinata faces the future with high expectations, now firmly established as a top-class sprinter.