Need You Tonight and Vundu Carry Argentina’s Hopes in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Gávea
- Turf Diario
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The two top older horses currently racing at Palermo and San Isidro face a formidable challenge in the 41st edition of the continental test, with rain expected and the track likely to be heavy
By Diego H. Mitagstein (Special correspondent to Turf Diario at Río de Janeiro, Brasil)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special Correspondent).—It’s finally here. No more waiting. The 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) stands before us. Against the majestic backdrop of the Corcovado, the Hipódromo da Gávea, the most photographed track in history, will host the continental classic this Saturday for the fourth time—a race that arrived in 1981, disruptive, different, unique, and has since established itself as one of South American turf’s premier events.
The Libertadores Trophy of Turf—arguably the most beautiful of them all—will once again be on the line, over 2000 meters of turf, with a total purse of US$300,000, the largest in the region until December’s Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), which promises US$350,000, depending on the day’s exchange rate.
It promises to be a spectacular edition, although the big question is whether the weather will cooperate or if rain will return, as it did when Much Better (Baynoun) won in 1996, or in 2016, when Rio flooded after the event and spectators couldn’t leave the track until dawn.
The forecast is daunting: around 6:00 p.m., a tropical storm of 30–60 mm of rain, strong winds, and even lightning is expected, with rainfall continuing for several hours. Black clouds have dominated the skyline since morning.
This is no minor detail, as it could dramatically alter race conditions, complicating life for some of the top contenders and presenting a big question for visitors, who will need to adapt if the track turns heavy.
Brazil’s delegation is led by the phenomenal Ethereum (Verrazano) and the remarkable Obataye (Courtier), both with outstanding campaigns, although it’s well known that they are not quite the same on soft turf. The filly was recently scratched due to such conditions. Not that they lack ability—simply, they perform slightly below their peak on a wet track. Still, as locals, they know the course.
Argentina arrives with one of its strongest delegations in recent memory, featuring the two top older horses from Palermo and San Isidro.
Vundu has brought his heart to the Cidade Maravilhosa seeking a career-defining win to cement his status as a superstar—which, to many, he already is. Injuries have plagued his campaign, but he returned stronger each time. He knows what it takes to win on heavy turf, a fact that strengthens his prospects, and we will likely see him close to the pace.
The challenge is even greater for Need You Tonight, Palermo’s number-one dirt horse, who comes off a positive first experience on grass, finishing second to Acento Final (Treasure Beach) in the Gran Premio General San Martín (G1). Of course, Palermo’s inner turf course is a far cry from Gávea, so adaptation will be key.
Both arrive in top form, with class and ability, making Argentine hopes grow even larger.
Chile travels with three experienced runners aiming for a breakthrough, while Peru sends six entries, forming a delegation where opportunities appear fairly balanced. Uruguay has entered Olympic Olympic (Alpha), on the rise and dreaming big.
The race will be part of the World Pool organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, alongside the Grande Prêmio São Paulo (G1), scheduled earlier in the card, where Star do Iguaçu (Outstrip), Zero Zero Sete (Verrazano), Oderich(Drosselmeyer), and Zucca Baby (Hofburg) share favoritism.
Unforgettable, they predict, will be the 2025 Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Gávea. Let’s hope so!
