Creator's dam represents Peru

A Peruvian-bred horse has never won a Grade 1 event in the United States, but the South American nation has made a major impact on some of the Northern Hemisphere’s biggest events through outstanding broodmares. The latest example came when Creator, out of Peruvian champion Morena, nosed out Destin to win the Belmont Stakes.

Morena was her country’s champion 2-year-old filly of 2007, champion 3-year-old filly of 2008, and champion older female of 2009. The Privately Held mare made the final eight starts of her career in the U.S., finishing second in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap and two editions of the Grade 3 Obeah Stakes and third in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Invitational and Grade 2 La Troienne Stakes. In the La Troienne, she finished behind only eventual Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic winner Unrivaled Belle and Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Creator is the first runner for Morena, who resides at Mt. Brilliant Farm in Kentucky. The Tapit colt was a $440,000 purchase by WinStar Farm at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Morena’s next offspring eligible to hit the track is Pear Lemonade, a juvenile colt by Lemon Drop Kid. The mare has a yearling Street Cry colt and delivered a Tiznow filly in May.

Other top broodmares bred and raced in Peru include Pamplona II and La Chaposa. Pamplona II, who was brought to the U.S. by Nelson Bunker Hunt following her racing career, produced Epsom Derby winner Empery and French 1000 Guineas winner Pampered Miss.

La Chaposa had an outstanding racing career of her own, honored as Peru’s champion 2-year-old filly of 1982 and champion sprinter of 1983. She won 13 of 18 starts, never finishing worse than second. As a broodmare in the U.S., she produced You and I, whose biggest score came in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, and Grade 1 winner Chaposa Springs.