by Michael Burns

Storm Chispazo, an impressive 12-length winner of a turf race at San Isidro on October 31, continued his rapid ascent in Argentina’s three-year-old male division with an upset victory in the Gran Premio Nacional (Arg-G1) (Argentine Derby), on Saturday at Palermo.

Ridden by Jose Ricardo Mendez, the Bernstein colt completed a last-to-first rally to defeat 15 opponents for a three-length victory.

Stonestreet Stables South America’s Dedini finished second, five lengths clear of Brazilian invader Odds On in third.

Trained by Alfredo Gaitan Dassie for owners Stud Las Hormigas, Storm Chispazo covered the 2,500-meter (12.42-furlong) race in 2:35.11 on a track rated as fast to register his third win in five career starts.

Bred in Argentina by Haras La Biznaga, Storm Chispazo is out of the unraced Fitzcarraldo mare Chimera.

Storm Chispazo could be pointed to next month’s Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (Arg-G1), South America’s marquee event on the turf at San Isidro.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent