Rabat Again and Vip Na Balada kicked off the São Paulo Triple Crown with authority
- Turf Diario
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
The colt overcame controversial handling to capture the Grande Prêmio Ipiranga (G1), while the daughter of Drosselmeyer reasserted her class in the Grande Prêmio Barão de Piracicaba (G1); both challenges were contested over 1600 meters on a heavy turf course
SAO PAULO, Brazil (Special for Turf Diario).— Rain and a grueling, heavy course framed the backdrop at Cidade Jardim for the opening legs of the São Paulo Quadruple Crown series. Among the colts, Rabat Again joined the roster of top-flight G1 winners for the powerhouse Haras Belmont with his victory in the Grande Prêmio Ipiranga (G1); among the fillies, Vip Na Balada validated all of her immense promise by capturing the Grande Prêmio Barão de Piracicaba (G1).
The Ipiranga featured Plano B (Courtier) as its main attraction, fresh off being crowned Brazil's Champion 2-Year-Old Male at the recent Mossoró Awards. However, the Haras Belmont representative never traveled comfortably and ultimately yielded center stage to his stablemate Rabat Again.
Trust do Iguassu (Camelot Kitten) surged early to take command, tracked by Canbé (Synchrony) and El Fantasma(Outstrip). Overly keen and boxed in, Plano B fought for fourth alongside Riversides (Momento de Alegría), while Rabat Again bided his time on the outside from roughly seventh position.
Upon entering the straight, Trust do Iguassu dug in to maintain his lead while Plano B attempted to mount a bid, though his run flattened out approaching the final 400 meters. Then emerged El Fantasma and, with even greater momentum, Rabat Again, who quickly gave the impression of holding the winning hand.
The climax, however, was shrouded in controversy. Despite his mount accelerating cleanly with room to operate, jockey Gabriel Santana deliberately drifted Rabat Again inward. The maneuver forced Valdinei Gil to snatch up El Fantasma first, and further down the lane, obliged Ruberlei Viana to check Trust do Iguassu. After crossing to the rail, the winner surged home to score by 1 3/4 lengths over the pacemaker.
The riders of Trust do Iguassu and El Fantasma lodged objections against Rabat Again, but the stewards ultimately upheld the original order of finish. El Fantasma held third ahead of Intelectual and a lackluster Plano B.
Bred by Haras Palmerini, Rabat Again is a son of Courtier and Comedian, by Crimson Tide—a nick that mirrors that of champion Obataye. Mauricio Oliveira brought the Haras Belmont runner to peak fitness for his fourth victory—and second stakes triumph—in just 7 starts, stopping the clock at 1m38s11/100.
The fillies' leg of the Quadruple Crown offered a far less controversial resolution, though no less thrilling. Vip Na Balada once again demonstrated that neither distance nor condition of the ground can limit her formidable talent.
The undefeated Amazon Queen (Rally Cry) sparred for the early lead alongside maiden Rising Star (Sangarius), while jockey Luis Henriques positioned Vip Na Balada right on their heels in a strategic third place.
As Rising Star faded upon entering the stretch, Amazon Queen attempted to break away. However, from the 300-meter mark onward, she came under joint siege from Vip Na Balada, Tina do Iguassu (Universal Law), and Iga Swiatek (Outstrip). Joining the fray late was Bela do Santomauro (Universal Law), who launched a striking rally from well off the pace.
Henriques timed his move to perfection. He refused to ask Vip Na Balada too early or allow the favorite to escape, and inside the final 150 meters, he set her after Amazon Queen. She collared the leader with authority to prevail by half a length, though the runner-up lost nothing in defeat with a valiant effort.
Bela do Santomauro finished third, with Taylor do Iguassu (Kentuckian) and Iga Swiatek completing the payout. A daughter of Drosselmeyer and Menina Veneno, by Quick Road, Vip Na Balada was bred by Haras Figueira do Lago and races for Haras Valentin. Roberto Penachio presented her in immaculate condition to secure her fifth career win—and fourth stakes title—from just 6 starts. The time for the mile was 1m39s56/100.
Cidade Jardim launched its two premier generational series with clear statements. Rabat Again brought surprise and controversy; Vip Na Balada, on the other hand, delivered yet another unmistakable display of her elite quality.
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