by Michael Burns

Belo Purse surged to the lead in the closing strides to earn a one-length victory in the Grande Premio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (Brz-G1), the second leg of Rio de Janeiro’s Triple Crown series for three-year-olds, on March 16 at Jockey Club Brasileiro Hipodromo La Gavea.

The Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado originally was scheduled for 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) on turf but was moved to the main track due to rain. Joe Bravo, winner of the first leg of the series, was one of five horses that were scratched due to the surface switch.

Belo Purse, ridden by Dalvo Duarte, found his best stride late to prevail in a driving finish over second choice Amigo Gaucho.

Trained by Dulcino Guignoni, Belo Purse completed the race in 2:07.45 to register his first Group 1 victory and fourth win in ten career starts for owner Luiz Fernando Dannemann’s Coudelaria Jessica.

The Public Purse colt is expected to make his next start in the Triple Crown's final leg, the Cruzeiro do Sul (Brz-G1) ( Rio de Janeiro Derby ), a 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) turf race on April 13.

Bred in Brazil by Ulisses Lignon Carneiro, Belo Purse is out of the Basim mare Brilhatura.

Argentina’s leading jockey Ricardo was honored by track offcials between races for becoming the first jockey in history to win 10,000 races.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent