by Michael Burns

Paula’s Girl scored a breakthrough victory in the Clasico Mil Guineas (Chi-G1) on Saturday at Hipodromo Chile and solidified her credentials as one of Chile's top three-year-old fillies on dirt.

The Clasico Mil Guineas and the Clasico Dos Mil Guineas (Chi-G1) for colts on September 6 make up the first leg of the Hipodromo Chile Triple Crown, which awards a horse a $600,000 bonus for sweeping the series.

Jose Luis Sanchez guided Paula’s Girl, who blew past the leaders in the final furlong to score by 7 1/2 lengths. Canelida held on to finish second by a head over fast-closing Muy Apetecida, who entered the stretch next-to-last in the 11-horse field.

Caraboa, Hipodromo Chile’s champion two-year-old filly on dirt, finished last.

Trained by Luis Urbina, the gray or roan Special Quest (Fr) filly covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:34.88 on a track rated as fast to earn her first stakes victory in nine career starts.

Paula’s Girl probably will start next on October 4 in the Gran Criterium Mauricio Serrano Palma (Chi-G1), the Hipodromo Chile Triple Crown series' next leg for both colts and fillies.

Campaigned by Stud Push Push and bred by Haras Don Alberto, Paula’s Girl is out of the Worldwatch mare Whisper.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent