NEWS
No stopping Kalath Wells in Argentine Oaks
Posted: Sunday, November 15, 2009 3:59 PM
by Michael Burns
Group 1 winner Kalath Wells cemented her status as Argentina’s top three-year-old filly on dirt with a front-running, four-length romp in the Gran Premio Seleccion (Arg-G1) (Argentine Oaks) at Hipodromo Palermo on Saturday.
Under superb handling from jockey Edwin Talaverano, the gray or roan filly by 1994 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) winner Poliglote (GB) led every step of the way, completing the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) classic in 2:01.71.
Maiden winner Dear Bela, a Haras La Quebrada homebred, made a run at the winner in the stretch, but Kalath Wells found more stamina in reserve in deep stretch en route to clinching her most significant victory to date.
La Plata’s Polla de Potrancas (Arg-G2) winner La Charmante finished third in the nine-horse field.
Trained by Miguel Garcia, Kalath Wells tallied her fourth consecutive victory and second straight at Palermo after failing to win in her first five starts at San Isidro. She improved her record to four wins in nine career starts.
A 12-length breakthrough maiden winner at La Plata on August 13, Kalath Wells subsequently posted a five-length victory in the Gran Premio Seleccion de Potrancas (Arg-G1) at La Plata. She entered the Argentine Oaks off an 11-length victory in the Clasico Francisco J. Beazley (Arg-G2) at Palermo on October 12.
Bred and owned by pharmaceutical magnate Juan Carlos Bago's Haras Firmamento, Kalath Wells is out Group 1-placed winner Kalath, by Kaljerry, and is a half sister to Group 2 winner Kalath Champ and Group 1-placed winner Kalath Honour.
Also on Saturday’s card at Palermo, last year's Gran Premio Hipodromo Palermo (Arg-G1) winner El Garufa earned a repeat victory in the one mile dirt event via disqualification and sprint specialist Lloron Cat tallied his first victory at the highest level in the five-furlong Gran Premio Maipu (Arg-G1).
Seven-year-old El Garufa charged hard in the stretch to finish second behind Equal Libero, but the latter was disqualified and demoted to third for interfering with third-place finisher Bless My Destiny in the stretch.
Later on the card, Edwin Talaverano secured a Group 1 double by guiding Lloron Cat to a sharp three-quarter-length victory in the Gran Premio Maipu (Arg-G1), reserved for Argentina’s top sprinters on dirt.
Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent
