by Michael Burns

Maiden winner Catorce de La Fama proved that his runner-up finish in the Dos Mil Guineas (Chi-G1) on September 5 was no fluke. The Stuka colt continued his ascent in the three-year-old division on Saturday with an upset victory in the Gran Criterium-Mauricio Serrano Palma (Chi-G1), the second leg of the Hipodromo Chile Triple Crown.
 
Ridden by Hernan Ulloa, Catorce de La Fama rallied tenaciously in deep stretch to prevail by a half-length over Valor Futuro. Apunta Alto, one of two fillies in the race, finished third. Dos Mil Guineas winner Emin Baja finished sixth in the 13-horse field.

Trained by Guillermo Aguirre for owner Stud La Pacita, Catorce de La Fama completed 1,900 meters (9.44 furlongs) in 2:00.54 on a track rated as fast. Aguirre saddled his first Criterium winner since Chilean champion three-year-old male and multiple U.S. graded stakes winner Memo (Chi) won the race in 1990.

Catorce de La Fama improved his record to two wins from five starts. The St. Leger (Chi-G1), the second leg of the Chilean national Triple Crown and the final Group 1 race this year for three-year-olds on dirt, on November 5 is the next logical target for Catorce de La Fama.

Bred in Chile by Haras Curiche, Catorce de La Fama is out of the Hidden Source mare Felicity Jhonson.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent