The Gran Premio Latinoamericano has drawn its full cast of 14 nominees

With two from Argentina, three from Brazil, three from Chile, five from Peru and one from Uruguay, the field now awaits the addition of two supplemental invitees

Need You Tonight and Maximiliano Aserito are set to ship to Brazil / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The South American Organization for the Promotion of Thoroughbreds (OSAF) on Tuesday released the official roster of nominees for the 41st renewal of the G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano, to be run Saturday, Oct. 18, at Rio de Janeiro’s Hipódromo da Gávea. The 2000-meter turf feature will offer $300,000 in total purse money.

Argentina will be represented by Vundu (Suggestive Boy) and Need You Tonight (Hat Trick); Brazil by the mare Ethereum (Courtier), Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) and Obataye (Courtier); Chile by My Way (Mendelssohn), Medjool (Constitution) and Daktari (Daddy Long Legs); Peru by Boudica (The Lieutenant)—the other mare in the field—along with Kanko (Newfoundland), Happy Man (Mendelssohn), Enforceable (Tapit) and Il Omare (Il Campione); while Uruguay will be represented by Olympic Olympic (Alpha).

Two supplemental invitees will round out the 16-horse cast in the coming days, with Peru’s King Mo (Vancouver)—slated to be ridden by the legendary Jorge Ricardo—already considered a near certainty.

Ethereum and Seiquevouteamar were originally on the list of supplemental entries but are now part of the main roster. Contenders still under consideration include Brazil’s Dream Alliance (Alpha), Galo White (Goldikovic), Mc Arrocha (Arrocha), Olympic Orkut (Verrazano) and Treasure Courtier (Courtier); Peruvians Don Feres and the aforementioned King Mo; and In-Verso (War Secretary), trained by Antonio Cintra out of Uruguay’s Maroñas. The fee to secure a supplemental spot in the Latinoamericano is set at $25,000.

The marquee afternoon at Jockey Club Brasileiro is also expected to attract other visitors from Peru for supporting Group races. Fillies Mathilde (Galapit) and Amazonka (Mendelssohn)—the latter with Francisco Leandro booked to ride—are set for the G2 Grande Premio Marciano de Aguiar Moreira (2000mT), while Argentine-bred Furioso Hit (Hit It a Bomb) will contest the G2 Grande Premio Julio Capúa (1600mT).

The day’s rich undercard will also feature the G1 Grande Premio Jockey Club de São Paulo (2000mT), G2 Grande Premio Rocha Faria (2000mT), G2 Grande Premio Cordeiro da Graça (1000mT) and G2 Grande Premio João Borges Filho (2400mT).

OSAF confirmed that international runners will arrive in Rio de Janeiro between Oct. 7-9 on direct flights from their home countries, a key factor in ensuring proper preparation.

With just over a month to go, anticipation for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano is quickly building. Gávea will play host for the fourth time in the race’s history, and on each of the three prior occasions, local runners carried the day.

Can the visitors break that dominance? Or will the iconic trophy once again remain at home? The answers will come on Saturday, Oct. 18, with post time set for 8 p.m. local.