Sapacara outkicked Tantan Royal, sealing Phillipson’s complete domination of the Clásico EEUU

The two Brazilian-owned runners swept the exacta in the weekend’s feature at Maroñas, Uruguay

A Phillipson-driven finish sealed Sunday’s feature at Maroñas / MAROÑAS

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay—Once again, the colors of Stud-Haras Phillipson stole the show in a major event at the Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas. Smart investment—especially at scale—tends to yield results, and few operations embody that better than the stable of Benjamín Steinbruch, which continues to pile up success on this side of the Río de la Plata, setting the tone both as owners and breeders.

This time the celebration was, in a way, doubled. The familiar yellow, black, and red silks swept the finish of the Clásico Estados Unidos de América, the weekend’s main event, contested over 1500 meters on the dirt with just four starters.

Sapacara (Will Take Charge), a 4-year-old, proved best over the filly Tantan Royal (Midshipman), heroine of the Polla (G3) in early September, after a prolonged, head-to-head duel that lasted from the break to deep in the stretch. The winner edged clear late to score by half a length, with La Kimberley (Sloane Avenue) another eight lengths back in third. Final time: 1:30.79.

Trainer Sergio Dorneles praised his filly after the trophy presentation: “She’s in top form—always running well, on any surface. She always looked like a good one, and now she’s confirming everything we expected. She fought hard today because Tantan Royal was getting weight. She’s generous, quick, likes to be forward, easy to train, eats well, and is sound.”

Ridden by Luis Cáceres, Sapacara now owns six wins from 16 starts, including two stakes victories, having taken the Asamblea General Legislativa (L) in late September.

Sunday’s card also featured the Handicap Especial Potri Flash (1500m, turf), where the Brazilian-bred Machine Machinist (Emcee, 55.5kg) held off the Argentine Piedano (Mask, 53.5kg) by a neck. The favorite Ave Royale (Sloane Avenue, 57kg) checked in third, another half-length back, with fellow Brazilian Río Flamengo (Drosselmeyer) fourth by a head.

Carlos Lavor and Darci Minetto handled the conditioning and riding duties for the winner, who races for Stud Gianina y Danilo and was bred by Haras Santa María de Araras.