Rain has already made its presence felt at Gávea, as the Peruvian runners are out on the track for their morning gallops

Additionally, it was announced that Global Media Turf (GMT) will provide live coverage from Rio de Janeiro of Saturday’s card at Gávea—turf reporting, by turf journalists, for turf fans

The Peruvian contingent worked on the Gávea track’s muddy surface Friday morning / JOAO COTTA / JCB

RÍO DE JANEIRO, Brasil (Special for Turf Diario).- The hours are ticking by, and with all the runners now stabled at the Villa Hípica of Hipódromo da Gávea, excitement is building exponentially.

Just one week remains until the 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), set for 2000 meters on turf with a purse of $300,000, and there is one major concern for all involved: the weather.

This time of year in Rio de Janeiro is rarely kind, with rain often playing a leading role—and it seems ready to make its presence felt again. Heavy showers fell in recent hours, and the forecast remains ominous: rain is expected Monday through Wednesday and could return on race day, Saturday, albeit at lower probabilities.

The situation is taken seriously. Legendary jockey Jorge Ricardo noted that a heavy Gávea track is challenging, and that Ethereum (Courtier) and Obataye (Courtier), the top local contenders, do not feel comfortable under such conditions. Ricardo will partner King Mo (Vancouver) for Peru, with morning gallops already helping him get acquainted with the horse.

On Friday, the Peruvian representatives—first to arrive in Rio—began working on the heavy dirt track, recovering from the journey. Only Il Omare (Il Campione) suffered minor scrapes during transport. Activity will increase in the coming days, with Monday marking a key moment: the draw for the starting gates. With 16 horses entered, the break from the stalls will carry enormous significance for the outcome of the race.

Fans received another boost from the Organización Sudamericana de Fomento del SPC (OSAF): the entire Gran Premio Latinoamericano card will be broadcast live from Gávea by Global Media Turf (GMT), the Latin American turf channel making its grand debut with this continental showcase.

Coverage will be available at www.globalmediaturf.com and on GMT’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@globalmediaturf. The broadcast will be free and feature interviews, analysis, and all the elements needed for an engaging show produced by turf journalists for turf fans.