by Michael Burns

Koko Mambo posted an impressive front-running victory on Sunday in the Clasico Ricardo Ortiz de Zevallos (Per-G1), the second leg of the Peruvian Quadruple Crown, at Hipodromo de Monterrico.

Ridden by Carlos Javier Herrera, Koko Mambo quickly sprinted clear of his 13 opponents and gradually increased his lead approaching the final turn, romping home a clear eight-length winner.

Invincible Dad finished second, 6 3/4 lengths clear of Northern Hemisphere two-year-old Georgui Lui in third. Favorite and Clasico Polla de Potrillos (Per-G1) (Peruvian Two Thousand Guineas) runner-up Precursor finished ninth in the 14-horse field.

Trained by Juan Suarez, Koko Mambo completed the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) classic in 2:08.20 to earn his first Group 1 victory. He improved his record to three wins in nine career starts for owner Stud Black Label.

The victory solidified the bay colt’s credentials as a leading contender for the Derby Nacional (Per-G1) (Peruvian Derby), the third jewel of the Quadruple Crown, scheduled for November 15.

Runner-up to two-year-old standout Precursor in the Clasico Carlos II Watson y Eduardo F. G. Watson during his juvenile season, Koko Mambo began his three-year-old season on a high note annexing two wins by a combined margin of 14 3/4 lengths. He entered off a ninth-place finish in the Two Thousand Guineas, in which he was taken back off the pace.

Bred in Peru by Haras San Pablo, Koko Mambo is by Apprentice, Peru’s champion sire of 2002. He is out of the Mashhor Dancer mare Not for Sale, a half sister to Peruvian Group 1 winner Westbury.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent