by Michael Burns

Body Soguero solidified his credentials as a formidable rival in next month’s Gran Premio Republica Argentina (Arg-G1) by scoring a convincing 1 ½-length victory in the Gran Premio de Honor – Copa Julio y Carlos Menditeguy (Arg-G1) on Saturday at Palermo.

Ridden by Juan Carlos Noriega, the Southern Hemisphere three-year-old Body Glove colt recorded his most significant victory to date and stamped himself one of Argentina’s top stayers on dirt.

Argentine Derby winner Eyeofthetiger finished a fast-closing second. Calidoscopio edged second choice Life of Victory by a half-length for third in the 13-horse field. Previously unbeaten El Azor finished seventh as the favorite.

Trained by Federico Martucci, Body Soguero completed 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 2:00.34 in his first start since an unplaced finish in the Argentine Derby on November 10.

Winner of the Clasico Eduardo Casey (Arg-G2) in October, Body Soguero tallied his third victory in five starts.

Body Soguero is out of the Purple Mountain mare Visee de Femme.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent