Sweet Feel crowned a stellar afternoon for Argentine breeding by capturing the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) at Maroñas, while Es Patriarca established himself as the premier colt
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The daughter of Lucullan secured the race that opened the Triple Crown in Uruguay, while the colt kept his undefeated record intact; Ave Royale dominated among the stayers in the Gran Premio Presidente de la República, with President Yamandú Orsi in attendance
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Special for Turf Diario).— Argentine breeding found plenty of reason to celebrate on the opposite bank of the Río de la Plata. Sweet Feel, born and raised in Argentina, established herself this Sunday as one of the elite fillies of her generation in Uruguay by capturing the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G3-1600 m, dirt), one of the marquee events on a sensational card at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas.
The daughter of Lucullan and Catch the Feel, by Catcher In the Rye, did nothing more than confirm the towering potential she displayed in late June when taking the Gran Premio Criterium Potrancas (G2) in similarly decisive fashion. That victory had catapulted her into the top tier of her division, and when the time came to deliver in the opening jewel of the Triple Crown, she once again rose to the occasion.
Riding with his usual cool confidence, Pablo Rodríguez produced a textbook performance, holding her in reserve until the precise moment to unleash her run. Sweet Feel made steady progress down the lane, took control, and successfully held off the sustained charge of the gray Umburanas (Universal Law), who proved once more that she belongs among the best. Further back, U Goosy (Creative Cause) completed the paid positions ahead of Linda Cami (Awesome Patriot) and Serena Vitoria (Alcorano), while favored Cayetana (Sloane Avenue) finished well below expectations.
Conditioned by Pablo González, the representative of Haras Marnu covered the mile in 1m38s66/100, elevating her record to four wins, including back-to-back stakes victories. Bred by Julio Alberto Amud, the dark bay began her career at Las Piedras before quickly adapting to the stiffer competition at Maroñas. Her steady development now sets up the challenge of added distance as the classic trail heads into even more demanding territory.
Moments earlier, the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G3-1600 m, dirt) proved that Es Patriarca remains the undisputed ruler of the colts. The son of Awesome Patriot entered the first gem undefeated and emerged with his perfect record intact, though this time he had to summon pure courage to keep his rivals at bay.
Waldemar Maciel remained unfazed when the colt broke step slowly. He quickly settled him nearby, conserved energy early, and launched his bid upon straightening. Once in front, Es Patriarca had to withstand a relentless siege from Petkovic (Kentuckian)—his runner-up for the fourth time—but found the necessary reserves to stave off the threat and cross the wire first. The Argentine-bred Gratus (King Guillermo) turned in a highly commendable effort to finish third.
Trained by Roberto Solanés for Stud Compac, Es Patriarca stopped the clock in 1m36s62/100 to notch his fifth victory in as many starts. Having previously swept Carreras de las Estrellas Campeones and the Gran Criterium, he has methodically built a reign of dominance that remains unchallenged. Bred by Haras Los Nenes, the son of Argentine mare Stormy Kindly, by Bernstein, stays firmly on course for a Triple Crown bid, with the inevitable question mark that increased distance brings. For now, however, no one has found a way to beat him.
The card's other signature feature was the Gran Premio Presidente de la República (G3-2400 m, dirt), where Ave Royale made it abundantly clear that his current form is pristine and that he can deliver top-flight performances on any surface.
A recent winner of the Clásico Asamblea de la Florida (G3) on the turf, the son of Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride) seamlessly translated his form to the dirt, validating his heavy favoritism. Javier Pérez kept him in a stalking position early, keeping a close eye on the pacemakers, and when the time came to press the button, he sprinted away with authority to hold off Pluto (Discreetly Mine), the battle-tested veteran who turned in yet another brave performance. Ragnarok (Will Take Charge) finished third.
For Ave Royale, it was another high-stakes triumph, this time under the care of trainer Víctor Tabárez, cementing his status as one of the premier stayers at Maroñas. Versatile, consistent, and increasingly dependable, he added another significant chapter to a rapidly ascending career.
Sweet Feel, Es Patriarca, and Ave Royale shared the primary spotlight of a marvelous Sunday at Maroñas. An Argentine filly who has claimed the crown in Uruguay, a colt who remains utterly undefeated, and a stayer capable of shining on any surface. Three names to remember, and three stories that promise exciting new chapters.
The event was further highlighted by a distinguished visitor: Yamandú Orsi, the President of Uruguay, who presented the trophies following Ave Royale's victory in the stakes run in his honor, reaffirming government support for the racing industry at Maroñas and venues across the country.
