South America's premier race, the Pelligrini, offers berth in Breeders' Cup Turf

A fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar next November is available to the winner of Saturday’s Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-International at San Isidro Racecourse in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Pellegrini, run at 1 1/2 miles on turf, is considered the leading race in South America, and is the first race to offer a berth to a 2023 Breeders’ Cup race. The Breeders’ Cup will be held on Nov. 3 and 4 next year at Santa Anita.

The Pellegrini drew 15 entrants, including three prominent Group 1 winners - Durazzo, El Musical, and Miranque.

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Durazzo has won his last six starts, including three Group 1 races. Durazzo, 5, was the four-length winner of the Group 1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro at 1 1/2 miles on Nov. 5. Durazzo won Group 1 races at 1 1/4 miles and 1 1/2 miles in May and June in Argentina.

Mirinaque, the 2020 Horse of the Year in Argentina, was second in the 2021 Pellegrini. A 6-year-old, Mirinaque has won his last four starts, including the Group 1 General San Martin at Palermo Racecourse in September and the Group 1 Dardo Rocha-International at 1 1/2 miles on Nov. 9.

Earlier this year, Mirinaque was 11th of 13 in the Group 1 Dubai Gold Cup at two miles at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates in March.

El Musical has something to prove at the Pellegrini distance. A Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old, El Musical won the Group 1 Polla de Potrillos at a mile in September and was second by four lengths in the Group 1 Nacional at 1 9/16 miles at Palermo Racecourse on Nov. 22.

El Musical finished first in the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club at 1 1/4 miles at San Isidro on Oct. 15, but was disqualified and placed second.

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