by Michael Burns

Longshot Rasputin, a stakes-winning Ritz colt, posted an upset victory in Sunday's Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas) at Maroñas to take the first leg of the Uruguayan Triple Crown series

The series was swept two years ago by the world’s top-ranked racehorse, the now retired Invasor (Arg).

Rasputin, a three-year-old chestnut or gray colt, finished strongest in the stretch under Waldemar Maciel to defeat solid favorite Cafe Silver, who suffered his first defeat after two visually impressive victories.

Brazilian-bred Gomek finished another 1 ½ lengths back in third.

Trained by Pablo Graña, Rasputin completed 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) on dirt in 1:34.47 for his second stakes win and first as a three-year-old.

A winner of his career debut as a juvenile, Rasputin subsequently won the five-furlong Clasico Antonio Araujo, the first stakes of the season for Southern Hemisphere two-year-olds, before finishing unplaced in his sophomore debut in the Criterium. He subsequently finished second, beaten 16 lengths by El Copeton on a muddy track in the Clasico Ensayo on August 5. 

Rasputin improved to three wins in five career starts. Owned by Stud Don Pepe and bred by Haras Don Alfredo, Rasputin is out of the winning Top Ten mare African Top and is a full brother to stakes winner Rizaf.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent