by Michael Burns

Game pacesetter Time for Fun held off late bids from runner-up Amigo Gaucho and third-place finisher Paul Garden to score by a nose on Sunday at La Gavea in the Grande Premio Cruzeiro do Sul (Brz-G1) (Brazilian Derby), the final leg of Rio de Janeiro’s Triple Crown for three-year-olds.

Under vigorous urging from jockey Marcelo Cardoso, the Yagli colt led at every point of call en route to an upset victory over Amigo Gaucho, the runner-up in the second leg of the Triple Crown series—the Grande Premio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (Brz-G1).

Race favorite Jeune-Turc was fourth, and Grande Premio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado winner Belo Purse finished seventh.

Trained by Dulcino Guignoni, who secured his fourth Derby victory and saddled his 124th career group stakes winner, Time for Fun completed 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) on turf rated as soft in 2:30.04 for his first stakes win.

Buenos Aires-based jockey Jorge Ricardo, the all-time leading jockey by victories, finished last aboard Hiper Desejado. Ricardo has captured 24 riding titles in Rio de Janeiro.

Time for Fun improved to three wins in ten career starts. He entered off an eighth-place finish in the Grande Premio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado on March 16.

Bred by Haras São José da Serra, Time for Fun is out of the New Colony mare Tarradine.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent