by Michael Burns

Ever Peace proved that his win in the Gran Premio Carreras de las Estrellas Juvenile (Arg-G1) on June 28 was no fluke when he rolled a pacesetting victory in the Gran Premio 2000 Guineas Consagracion de Potrillos (Arg-G1) on Saturday at San Isidro.

The Alpha Plus colt shook off late challenges from Estrellas Juvenile runner-up Lingote de Oro and Saucy Jet in deep stretch to stamp himself as one of Argentina’s leading three-year-olds heading into the classics.

Favorite Special Choice, winner of his lone start on turf at San Isidro, finished a disappointing 12th in the 14-horse field.

Ridden by Mario Leyes and trained by Roxana San Millan, Ever Peace covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:33.48 on turf rated as firm. The victory was his third in six starts and second on the turf following a six-length maiden victory on grass in January.

Campaigned by Fredty Mattei’s Stud Rincon de Piedra and bred in Argentina by Julio and Alejandro Menditeguy’s Haras Abolengo, Ever Peace is out of the Equalize winning mare Ever Beauty.

Michael Burns is a South American-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent