Furia Cruzada wins Gran Premio Criadores for fees-paid berth to BC Distaff

Furia Cruzada won Friday’s Group 1 Gran Premio Criadores at Palermo, Argentina, a victory that gives the 4-year-old filly a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

To start in that race, Furia Cruzada must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by Oct. 19. According to the Breeders’ Cup’s website, Furia Cruzada is not nominated to the program, but her owners indicated after Friday’s race she has the BC Distaff as an autumn goal and will be made eligible.

Furia Cruzada won the third Group 1 of her career in the Gran Premio Criadores.

A 9-1 chance, Furia Cruzada won the Gran Premio Criadores at 1 1/4 miles on dirt by a length over the 17-1 Carinosa. Kalithea, the 2-1 favorite, finished third in a field of eight. Furia Cruzada was ridden by Juan Cruz Villagra for trainer Alfredo Gaitan Dessie.

A Chilean-bred by the Storm Cat stallion Newfoundland, Furia Cruzada is owned by Haras Cachagua and Haras Dadinco. She won a Group 1 on turf in Argentina last month, and a Group 1 on dirt in Chile last year.

There are five races in South America this year that will provide winners with fees-paid berths to Breeders’ Cup races at Keeneland. The winner of the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo at San Isidro, Argentina, on May 25 will earn an automatic berth to the BC Turf.