by Michael Burns

Dual stakes winner Lady Arianna, a troubled third in last month's Clasico Polla de Potrancas (Per-G1) (Peruvian One Thousand Guineas), returned with vengeance to post an authoritative win in the Clasico Enrique Ayulo Pardo (Per-G1) (Peruvian Oaks) at Hipodromo de Monterrico on Sunday.

The Peruvian Oaks is the second leg of the Peruvian Quadruple Crown for fillies.

Sent off as the favorite under leading rider Carlos Trujillo, who annexed his second Oaks victory, Lady Arianna overhauled pacesetter Patola entering the straight and gradually pulled away to a commanding 5 3/4-length victory.

Runner-up Patola, an Argentine-bred stakes-placed winner, finished 6 3/4 lengths clear of One Thousand Guineas runner-up and third-place finisher Mi Curli in the field of seven three-year-old fillies.

Conditioned by Felix Banda, Lady Arianna covered the 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) on a track rated as fast in 2:08 for her first Group 1 victory and fourth career win in five starts for owner Stud Soribel.

Winner of both of her starts at two, including the restricted Clasico Selectos, Lady Arianna captured the listed Clasico Hipodromo de Santa Beatriz in her three-year-old debut before finishing third to unbeaten stablemate Rihanna in the One Thousand Guineas on September 13.

Bred in Peru, Lady Arianna is a bay filly by Play the Gold. Out of Yaku, by Privato, she is a full sister to Peru’s 2007-‘08 champion turf three-year-old female Democracia.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent