by Michael Burns

Esta Bailando scored a surprising front-running victory in the Clasico Tanteo de Potrancas (Chi-G1) on Saturday at Santiago's Hipodromo Chile.

The victory elevated the Dance Brightly filly to among the leaders of the two-year-old filly division.

Making her Hipodromo Chile debut, Esta Bailando led at every point of call under Jesus Toro to post a three-quarter-length victory over second choice Caraboa. Longshot Paula’s Girl finished another two lengths back in third and favorite Amarna was 14th in the 16-horse field.

Trained by Luis Catena, Esta Bailando covered 1,500 meters (7.45 furlongs) in 1:30.14 to register her third win in five career starts.

Campaigned by Haras Palmira, Esta Bailando posted two sprint victories on turf and entered off a ninth-place finish against males in the Clasico Stud Book de Chile (Chi-G2) on May 28 at Valparaiso Sporting Club. She also finished fifth against males in the Clasico El Estreno Nicanor Señoret (Chi-G2) in April.

Esta Bailando will likely make her next start at the same distance in the Gran Premio Criadores Salvador Hess Riveros (Chi-G2), a prep race for the Clasico Mil Guineas (Chi-G1) on August 30.

Bred by Haras Carioca, Esta Bailando is out of the winning Equalize mare Stangarella.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent