Argentina: The Punisher takes Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, gains BC Turf berth

The Punisher (21-1) caught El Musical (7-2) in the final strides to win Saturday’s Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini at San Isidro Racecourse in Argentina and earn a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

Owned and bred by Haras El Angel De Venecia, The Punisher won the Pellegrini at 1 1/2 miles by three-quarters of a length. El Cid Campeador (11-1) finished third in a field of 15, beaten 4 3/4 lengths.

The Punisher closed from sixth in a field of 15 to reach contention in early stretch and rallied wide through the stretch to take a late lead.

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Durazzo, the 11-10 favorite, was pulled up with an injury, according to reports in the Argentine media. Durazzo had won his last six starts, including three Group 1 races.

The Punisher, an Argentine-bred by Cityscape, won the most prestigious race of his career in the Pellegrini for trainer Carlos Etchechoury and jockey Martin Valle. Earlier this year, The Punisher was fourth in the Group 1 Argentine 2000 Guineas at a mile in August, and third in the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles at San Isidro on Oct. 15.

The Pellegrini is considered the leading race in South America, and is the first race in the world to offer a berth to the 2023 Breeders’ Cup series.

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