by Michael Burns

Rio de Janeiro invader La Vendetta scored a decisive victory over Sao Paulo's top turf females in the Grande Premio Organizacao Sulamericana de Fomento ao Pura Sangue de Corrida (Brz-G1) on Saturday to kick off Sao Paulo Jockey Club’s international race meeting at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim.

Sent off as the favorite in the 16-horse field under Marcelo Cardoso, the Clackson filly finished strongest in the stretch to prevail by a neck over Group 2 winner Nayara Gold.

Furia Olimpica, who drew post 16, finished another 1 ¾ lengths back in third. Right Idea, the Grande Premio Diana (Brz-G1) (Rio de Janeiro Oaks) winner, finished a disappointing 15th.
 
Trained by Dulcino Guignoni, La Vendetta covered 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 1:59.90 on turf rated as soft to annex her third straight stakes victory and fifth win in 16 career starts.

Bred and owned by Haras Tributo a Opera, La Vendetta is out of multiple Brazilian graded stakes winner Stratas, by Youth.

Three-year-old colt Taludo rocketed to a three-quarter-length victory in the Grande Premio Associacao Brasileira de Criadores e Propietarios do Cavalo de Corrida (Brz-G1), defeating Brazil’s top turf sprinters despite breaking from the far outside post position.

Three-year-old filly Requebra finished second, 3 ¾ lengths clear of Group 1 winner Super Duda in the 12-horse field.

Ridden by Ivaldo Santana and trained by Luis Carlos Soarez, Taludo covered 1,000 meters (4.97 furlongs) in :54.31 on turf rated as soft.

Campaigned by Stud Patylippe, the Music Prospector colt improved to five wins in eight starts. Bred by Haras Pirassununga, Taludo is out of the multiple Brazilian stakes winner Assinatura, by Efesivo.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent