by Michael Burns

Café Silver, one of the leading juvenile colts in Uruguay earlier this season and the runner-up in both the Polla de Potrillos (Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas) and Gran Premio Jockey Club, scored a breakthrough victory in the Gran Premio Nacional (Uruguayan Derby), the final leg of the Uruguayan Triple Crown at Maroñas.

Under Nuber Mieres, favorite Café Silver overhauled Brazilian-bred Relento in the final furlong of the 2,500-meter (12.42-furlong) race en route to a clear 2 1/4-length score in Uruguay’s most important classic.

Querubin Gg closed ground late to finish another 1 ¼ lengths back in third. Gran Premio Jockey Club winner Rock Ascot finished seventh in the 11-horse field.

Trained by former Argentine and Southern California-based jockey Yoland Davila, Café Silver is out of the Potridoon mare Potri Silver. He covered the distance in 2:37.43 for his third win in five career starts and his second stakes victory.

An impressive 10 ¼-length winner of his debut, Café Silver subsequently captured the Clasico Guzman Vargas before placing second in the first two legs of the Uruguayan Triple Crown series.

By Argentina’s 1999 champion miler Cafetin, Café Silver is campaigned by Antonio Isidori and Mery Acosta’s Stud Las Armas. He was bred in Uruguay by Haras Gavroche.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent