by Michael Burns

Staccato stopped even-money favorite Last Impact’s six-race winning streak and earned his first Group 1 stakes victory on Sunday in the Clasico Club Hipico de Santiago Falabella (Chi-G1), Club Hipico de Santiago’s first Group 1 event of the year.

Staccato set a measured pace while unchallenged on the lead under Gonzalo Ulloa and outsprinted Last Impact to the wire en route to a half-length victory.

Turf standout Last Impact, runner-up in last year’s Clasico Club Hipico de Santiago Falabella, suffered his first defeat under regular rider Hector Isaac Berrios, who had ridden him to victory in his four previous start.

Multiple graded stakes winner El Merito finished another three lengths back in third in the 13-horse field.

Staccato covered the 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 1:58.56 on firm turf.

Trained by Patricio Baeza, Staccato entered off a record-setting victory on April 6 in the Clasico Radio Coorporativa at Club Hipico de Santiago, where he completed 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:32.02 to eclipse the previous course record set by Last Impact.

The Stuka horse, who races for Stud Carillanca, improved to 12 wins in 28 career starts.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent