Frateli La Vita Seeks Gran Premio Repeat, BC Mile Bid

Rey Santino Diez's 4-year-old Frateli La Vita (CHI) is set to defend his title against 13 foes in the May 25 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Club Hipico Falabella (G1T) at Club Hipico de Santiago. The winner will earn an automatic starting position and fees paid into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 93 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Frateli La Vita surged to the front in the final 100 yards to win last year's race by a half-length over Quimera Ideal (CHI), with archrival Medjool (CHI) a length back in third. Since then, the son of Seeking the Dia has been either first or second in seven starts, including victories in last year's Copa de Oro Maria Luisa Solari (G2T) and the March 28 listed Haras de Chile at 1 1/4 miles. In his most recent race, he finished second in the 1 3/8-mile Gran Premio Hipodromo Chile (G1) May 3. A winner six times in 21 races, Frateli La Vita will be ridden from post 3 by Gonzalo Ulloa for trainer Galindo Rojas. Stud El Mirador's Medjool has won his last six starts, including three triumphs over Frateli La Vita at Club Hipico. Trained by Julio Orellana, the 4-year-old Constitution gelding defeated Fratelli La Vita by a nose in last November's Primavera Hernan Braun P. y Carolina Budge de B. (G3T), by three lengths in the Dec. 30 La Copa (G3T), and by a neck Feb. 24 in the 1 1/4-mile Verano Arturo Cousino L. (G2T). In his most recent race, the April 25 Otono Pedro Garcia de la Huerta M. (G2T) going 1 1/4 miles, Medjool bested Toro Jack (CHI) by 6 1/2 lengths. He will break from post 7 under Jorge Gonzalez. Stud Jujuy's Horco Molle (CHI), trained by Mario Rabajille, won his first three starts last year, including a 4 1/2-length victory in the Cotejo de Potrillos (G3T) in April. He returned in December to win the listed Ignacio Urrutia de la Sotta by three lengths. His first career defeat came in the Feb. 2 El Derby (G1T) at Valparaiso Sporting Club, when he finished fourth at the 5-2 favorite. In his most recent start, the 3-year-old son of Good Samaritan finished third in an April 21 allowance race at 1 1/4 miles at Club Hipico. Horco Molle will be ridden by Javier Guajardo from post 9. Also formidable is Stud Las Perdices' 3-year-old Lonwhite (CHI), who won last September's 1 1/4-mile Preparacion-Luis Cousino (G3T) at Club Hipico by 5 1/2 lengths for trainer Claudio Bernal. A son of Mendelssohn, Lonwhite is seeking his fourth win on turf. He will be ridden by Hugo Ochoa from post 12. Also of interest is Stud Dona Lili's 3-year-old filly Cassis Violeta (CHI), a two-time group 1 winner last year. The daughter of Midshipman was named Chile's champion 2-year-old filly in 2024. She will break from post 10 under Nicolas Ramirez. As part of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner to start in the Mile, a 1-mile turf race. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 to receive the rewards.