Making a determined bid inside the final furlong, Los Melli's Sarawak Rim wore down favored Martana to win the 1 1/4-mile Gran Premio Criadores (G1) on dirt at Hipodromo de Palermo May 1 in Buenos Aires. With this victory, Sarawak Rim earned an automatic starting position, and fees paid, into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) 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 with fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.
The 3-year-old Sarawak Rim, trained by Juan Saldivia and ridden by William Pereyra, completed the 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.82 over a fast track, earning her fourth win in five starts.
By Remote, Sarawak Rim (5-2) broke well against six fillies and mares and through the first half-mile tracked behind pacesetter Orpen Rimout and the even-money favorite Martana, who defeated Sarawak Rim by nine lengths in the Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich (G2) at Palermo two months earlier.
Martana edged past Orpen Rimout to the front rounding the top of the stretch and opened a two-length lead. Then Pereyra urged Sarawak Rim forward and engaged Martana to her inside. She took the lead in the final eighth of a mile and extended it to a one-length advantage at the wire. Presencial finished third, followed by Ceniza Pampa in fourth.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for Sarawak Rim to start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Del Mar. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships.
