María Luisa, a Wire-to-Wire Queen in the Nacional at Monterrico

The filly defeated Argentina’s Puppi’s Husband in the fourth leg of the Triple Crown, contested over 2400 meters on the turf at Hipódromo de Monterrico

María Luisa proved too strong for Puppi’s Husband in the closing stages / JCP / JULIO VILLANUEVA

LIMA, Peru (Special to Turf Diario) — Sunday afternoon at Hipódromo de Monterrico was anything but routine. It was a card marked by the mystique of farewells, the return of familiar faces, and—above all—the coronation of a new turf star. The G1 Gran Premio Nacional–Augusto B. Leguía (2400m), the fourth leg of Peru’s Triple Crown, found a brave winner in María Luisa, who showed both courage and class to withstand a late challenge from a colt who made her work every step of the way.

From the break, the Stud Benedicta runner made her intentions clear. Confidently handled by Robert Tarazona, the daughter of Singe The Turf seized command and dictated terms through splits of :24.75, :48.43, and 1:14.80. Trained by Camilo Traverso II and bred by Haras Los Casares, the bay traveled comfortably on the lead, rationing her energy over the demanding twelve furlongs.

Turning for home, María Luisa appeared firmly in control, but the drama intensified when the progressive Puppi’s Husband loomed into view. The Argentine-bred colt, a son of Fortify with strong credentials, unleashed a powerful late run, slicing into the margin with every stride. It became a compelling duel of styles and wills: the filly’s resilience versus her rival’s surging finish.

At the wire, the verdict favored María Luisa by a head, stopping the clock in 2:27.99. Puppi’s Husband’s runner-up effort was thoroughly creditable, further underscoring the depth and quality of Argentine bloodstock on the region’s biggest stages. Del Real (Galapiat) finished a little more than two lengths back in third, with Radoslav (Singe The Turf) completing the superfecta.

The race also featured Argentine jockey Gustavo Calvente, once again engaged by Stud Doña Licha, though this time luck was not on his side. He finished sixth aboard Sayayin Oscar (Mendelssohn), beaten just three lengths. Calvente, it should be noted, captured two stakes earlier this season with Khamal (Mendelssohn).

With the victory, María Luisa now boasts three wins from eight starts, pushes her earnings beyond 117,000 soles, and cements her status as the standout of her generation on the grass.