Vundu Shows His Class with a Brilliant Performance

Back to His Best, Suggestive Boy’s Son Repeats in Clásico Engrillado; Set for Likely Nomination to Represent Jockey Club Argentino in October’s G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Gávea

Martín Valle Celebrates on Vundu as if It Were a G1 Victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The performance of Vundu in the Clásico Engrillado (2000m, firm turf) was nothing short of spectacular—the kind of display that elevates a horse to the top of the list. Just as he did 12 months ago, and back to the level he showed then, the Suggestive Boy colt recorded back-to-back wins in the race honoring the unforgettable son of Friul, all but assuring his nomination as the Jockey Club Argentino’s representative in October’s Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) at Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Though he came into the race off a win in the Clásico Potrillón following a comeback defeat, the version of Vundu on display this time was sharper and more authoritative, dismissing a solid field—even without the presence of Qué Tarde Gris (Il Campione)—that included some of the division’s leading names.

Carrying the silks of Stud Gran Ascochinga, and relishing the quick ground—as did fellow stakes winners Catys Queen (Lizard Island) and Forgging (Forge) on the card—Vundu built his victory step by step under a confident ride from Martín Valle.

Allowed to dictate a relaxed pace through opening fractions of :25.91 and :49.87, he began to turn the screws midway on the far turn, steadily increasing the tempo as his rivals tried to close in. Once straightened for home, he only got stronger, keeping all challengers at bay and drawing clear with authority.

At the wire, Vundu held a 2 1/2-length advantage over Capitán Kid (Daniel Boone)—who had pushed him to the limit in the Potrillón—with Honest Boy (Heliostatic) and Don Tigre (Cityscape) finishing together another three-quarters of a length back. The final time was 1:59.76.

Bred by Haras Pozo de Luna, Vundu owes much of his resurgence to the skilled management of trainer Nicolás Martín Ferro, who has twice brought him back to peak form following serious injuries. With his credentials now firmly stamped, Vundu awaits the formality of his nomination to the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, where he will represent Argentina as a major threat to land a decisive blow on the international stage.