by Michael Burns

Luna Arrabalera scored an upset victory in the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (Arg-G1) on Saturday at Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo in Buenos Aires.

Under a well-timed ride by Mario Nuñez, the consistent five-year-old Silver Planet mare rallied determinedly on the far outside to score a one-length win over late-closing Pure Spirit. Luna Arrabalera completed the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) race in 2:02.20 on a track rated as fast.

Haras Vacacion’s homebred Filarmonia, making her first start since a six-length victory in the Gran Premio Internacional Copa de Plata Arquitecto Roberto Vasques Mansilla (Arg-G1) on December 9, set the pace and faded to finish third.

Trained by Hugo Sanagua, Luna Arrabalera scored her first Group 1 win and seventh victory overall in 22 career starts. She entered the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena off a 1 ½-length victory in a seven-furlong handicap race on the San Isidro inner dirt track.

Owned and bred by Stud/Haras Nimanor, Luna Arrabalera is out of the Lode mare Dorylad.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent