by Michael Burns

Brazilian dual classic winner Smile Jenny rebounded from her narrow defeat in the Grande Premio Zelia Gonzaga Peixoto de Castro (Brz-G1) with a scintillating 2 1/2-length victory in the Grande Premio ABCPCC Matias Machline—Classica (Brz-G1), Brazil's version of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, on Sunday at Hipodromo La Gavea in Rio de Janeiro.

Sent off as the only female starter in the field of seven under regular rider Jean Pierre, the Wild Event filly powered to the front in the stretch with explosive acceleration, covering 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) on a turf course rated as soft in 2:04.09 to register her sixth victory and fourth group stakes triumph in nine career starts.

Group 1 winner Time For Fun held second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Mirassol.

Winner of two-thirds of Rio de Janeiro's Triple Crown series for three-year-old fillies, Smile Jenny most likely will start next in the Grande Premio Brasil (Brz-G1), Rio de Janeiro’s premiere race in August.

Trained by Roberto Morgado Neto for owner Stud Torna Surriento, Smile Jenny was bred in Brazil by Haras Santa Maria de Araras. She is out of the winning Roy mare Jenny Jacquet.

Earlier on the card, Timeo displayed an impressive turn of foot in winning the Grande Premio J. Adhemar de Almeida Prado—Taca de Prata (Brz-G1).

Ridden by Marcelo Cardoso, the two-year-old First American colt covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:36.97 for his first Group 1 triumph and second victory from four career starts. Bred by Haras Sao Jose Da Serra and own by Stud Yatasto, Timeo is out of the Atticus mare In The Sand.

Group 2-placed winner Talenta pulled away late to win the Grande Premio Margarida Polak Lara—Taca de Prata (Brz-G1) by a half-length.

The two-year-old Wild Event filly covered 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:37.88 to earn her fourth win and first at the top level in seven career starts. Bred by Haras Santa Maria de Araras, she is out of the Argentine-bred mare Brincalhona, by Lode.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent