Haras El Angel De Venecia's homebred The Punisher outfnished El Musical late Dec. 17 to capture the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional (G1) at Hipódromo de San Isidro in Argentina.
The Punisher earned an automatic berth into the 2023 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, an international collection of stakes whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled for Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park.
The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini-Internacional is the first Breeders' Cup Challenge race for the 2023 Breeders' Cup.
The Punisher, a 3-year-old son of Cityscape out of O.k. Angie, is trained by Carlos D. Etchechoury and was ridden by Martin Valle. Breaking alertly from post 6 in a 15-horse field, he rated off the rail in sixth as two-time group 1 winner Irwin set the pace along with Hacer Un Puente. El Musical ranged up at the top of the stretch, but the Punisher began a concerted outside drive and engaged El Musical in a furious stretch battle, passing his rival in the final yards to prevail by three-quarters of a length. El Cid Campeador finished third.
The Punisher completed the 1 1/2 miles on turf in 2:24.47. It was his third win in six starts and his first group 1 triumph. He was third in the Oct. 15 Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) at San Isidro last out.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.🇦🇷The Punisher gana el Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1). Martín Valle y el stud Haras El Ángel de Venecia, ganadores con Village King el año pasado, repitieron éxito. pic.twitter.com/u4suWGRlaw
— Black Type (@black_type_mag) December 17, 2022
