by Michael Burns

Vupt Vapt landed his first career stakes victory in the Grande Premio Jockey Club de Sao Paulo (Brz-G1), the second leg of Sao Paulo's Quadruple Crown series for three-year-old colts on turf, on Saturday at Hipodromo Cidade Jardim.

Ridden by Jose Aparecido, the Romarin (Brz) colt led at every point of call en route to a half-length victory.

Group 1-placed winner Vasuveda was three lengths clear of third-place finisher Tenarin. Olympic Danz finished fifth as the betting favorite in the eight-horse field.

Trained by Milton Signoretti, Vupt Vapt covered 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 1:59.79 on turf rated as soft to improve his record to four wins from 11 career starts for owner Stud Sao Jose dos Bastioes. Vupt Vapt entered off a sixth-placed finish in the Grande Premio Ipiranga (Brz-G1), the opening leg of the series on September 7.

The series continues with the Grande Premio Derby Paulista (Brz-G1) on November 7 and concludes with the Grande Premio Consagracao (Brz-G1) on December 19.

Bred by Oscar Pacheco Borges’ Haras Pirassununga, Vupt Vapt is out of the Stuka mare Ela Manda.

Also on the card, maiden winner Presente was elevated from second-place and awarded the victory via disqualification in the Grande Premio Diana (Brz-G1), the final leg of Sao Paulo's Triple Crown for fillies.

Under Dalvo Duarte, Group 3-placed winner Hold Me Tight crossed the finish line a head in front of Presente after a stretch duel. Following a jockey’s claim of foul, Hold Me Tight was disqualified and placed second.

Second leg winner Queen Shu finished 2 3/4 lengths behind in third in the 15-horse field. The winning time for 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) was 2:01.1o on soft ground.

Trained by Nelson Lima for owners Stud Farda Vencedora, Presente entered off a pair of fourth-place finishes in the opening two legs of the series. The Know Heights (Ire) filly picked up her first stakes victory in five career starts.

Bred in Brazil by Marcos and Mauro Ribeiro Simon, Presente is out of the winning Jolly Quick mare Go Who.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent