Ketala wins the Premio Valderas

Ketala (FR, 2009) [Gold Away-Afriketa(Desert Story )] won last Sunday the first Classic of the season, the Premio Valderas (Spanish 1,000 Guineas, 1,600 m, 3yo fillies, 24,000 euros for the winner), coming from the last positions to win in an impressive fashion in her second start. She is owned by Cuadra LAC Internacional, trained by Jesús López and was ridden by Marco Secci.

Extrañeza (Caradak) was second four lengths behind Ketala, with She Rules (Aussie Rules) a closee third and Irish Cliff (Marju) fourth. Flash McQueen (Dyhim Diamond) and Castellana (Yorik) were the front runners, and the field of 14 (after the scratching of Laura Moon and Ladyin) opened wide, with Ketala, from the outside, coming strongly to win. This is the second win in two starts for Ketala, whose dam, Afriketa won the Benítez de Lugo (the most important race for 3yo+ fillies in the autumn) in 2006, beating Jade, Guadalmedina and Johanie Cara and was 3rd in the GP Hispanidad (beaten by Trip to the Moon and Prince d'Orange). Plans for Ketala may include running in France.

Ketala (Gold Away), winner of the Premio Valderas, with jockey Marco Secci. Photo courtesy of Turfarganda.blogspot.com

Here is the video:  Premio Valderas 2012. Ketala is a black filly and her jockey wears dark blue and yellow body and yellow cap.


Other winners of the meeting were: Turrialba (Trade Fair) in a 2,200m claiming race for 4yo+ Spanish breds, Band Karo (Desert Style) and Lodosa (Dyhim Diamond) in the first and second parts of the split handicap over 1,800 m, Nonalass (Fol Parade) in a 1,600 m race for 3yo fillies and Shumookh (Mujahid) in a 1,400 m race for 4yo+.

Here is the photo report of the meeting by Turfarganda.blogspot.com