The first stages of the Triple Crowns were thermostats for measuring horsepower in South America

The simultaneous kickoff of the Triple Crowns in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo offered a vivid portrait of South American racing, across three racetracks, two surfaces, six races, and each region’s most talented horses. On Saturday, September 6, Palermo and Cidade Jardim opened their first jewels, while Sunday the 7th was Maroñas’ turn. Success on the track is rarely a standalone occurrence; it’s always the visible result of a sequence of decisions materialized through the daily management of breeding, breaking, pretraining, and training that judges the clock, the winner’s circle photo, and some metal cups. At Lineage Bloodstock, we focus on the main protagonist, the horse. However, here we’ll briefly review other equally essential factors that directly impact the quality of the equine athletes: infrastructure, teams, breeders, and how the human factor should operate to achieve what everyone desires: winning the Polla de Potrillos, Polla de Potrancas, Ipiranga, Barão de Piracicaba, or any Group 1, representing the highest glory for every owner, breeder, or professional.

We begin with Argentina, Buenos Aires, where the Polla de Potrillos (G1) took place, one of the most storied races in Latin American racing. It delivered a defining finish for a generation: after long years in the sport, the owner and breeder saw Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) meet a brave Drive Joy (Fortify), who competed while injured, which was later detected post-race. The two duked it out in a relentless head-to-head from the final 2 furlongs to the wire. The difference was a neck, the leader had run the first 4 furlongs in 46.72, a lively pace for Palermo’s mile, and the winner finished in 1:34.46 for the mile. That combination of a fast early pace and a solid final time shows it was a true test of character. When the initial fractions are that quick, the late stage isn’t won with raw speed but with the ability to convert it into extension and sustain action when mental and physiological demands wear most others down. Gardel Pass’s merit lies in enduring that mile-specific test, a distance that punishes sprinters who don’t stretch and stayers who get caught out in early speed. Meanwhile, Drive Joy’s merit lies in showing grit while limited, putting in context the competitive level of the generation.

For Gardel Pass, the win opens two sporting paths and one symbolic path. The symbolic one is immediate, the first Polla de Potrillos for his team, the duo of Wálter Suárez and María Fernanda Álvarez, a milestone that strengthens confidence and project in this trainer pair based at Palermo, Buenos Aires, with about 60 horses in the city at present. The sporting alternatives entail strategic choices with different costs and benefits. One option is going directly to the Jockey Club (G1) over 10 furlongs on turf at San Isidro, requiring adaptation to another surface and another distance with that same stamina shown on the dirt mile. The other is consolidating his mile dominance, capitalizing on proven superiority and turning high performance into a streak, which adds sport and commercial value to a colt in development. The right choice depends on his type, his way of winning, and the maturation plan the team wants to execute. Argentina continues to be a showcase for the world, collectively, the eyes of the industry are on this son of Distinctiv Passion (With Distinction).

Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) defining alongside Drive Joy (Fortify).

Gardel Pass’s case becomes especially compelling when the gaze shifts from the wire to the stud. He is by Distinctiv Passion (With Distinction), a stallion imported in 2018, not a phenomenon with enormous books, but a “value sire” operated under a boutique logic. He was supported almost exclusively by mares from Haras El Alfalfar, with limited books, continuity, and selectivity. In five generations there have been 87 foals, 59 runners, and 41 winners, that’s a 69.5% winners-to-runners ratio. There are eight stakes winners, six of them group winners, and this one is his first G1 progeny. This is not luck, but consolidation of a model where internal mares sustain the stallion’s project until the individual that stamps the highest mark appears. The birth sequence per season outlines a carefully managed growth that mirrors confidence supported by data: 13 foals in 2018; 17 in 2019; 26 in 2020; 31 in 2021; 37 in 2022; 45 in 2023; and 9 so far in 2024. There’s no trend-driven inflation, just a curve built patiently.

His dam, La Cumparsita Key (Key Deputy), provides the other pillar. She won one race and placed third in the Carlos Casares (G3), but as a broodmare has delivered remarkable efficiency: five runners, five winners, two black-type, one of which is G1. A year before Gardel Pass was born she produced Papusa Pass (Distinctiv Passion), a full-sister to the winner and G3/G2 winner over 5&6 furlongs at Palermo. The maternal line is all from the Haras of Mr. Alfredo Camogli, showing again high productivity in speed with enough stretch to handle a mile. The {4‑p} family also includes Todo Tango Key (Key Deputy), Villero Cat (Easing Along), Compasivo Cat (Easing Along), Llorón Cat (Easing Along), and the talented Tristeza Cat (Easing Along).

In the Polla de Potrancas (G1), Palermo posed a question. The unbeaten Moon Frank (Gidu) had to validate her figure against the prior benchmark, Charm (Strategos), winner of the Estrellas Juveniles Fillies G1 at the same racetrack and distance. The answer was affirmative and emphatic: Moon Frank maintained her unbeaten record with a one-length victory—the kind of win that doesn’t diminish her runner-up but firmly establishes the hierarchy on the day when the calendar demands it. Sportingly, it’s the kind of race that shows that being unbeaten isn’t a fragile statistic but a result of consistently correct tactical decisions under pressure.

Moon Frank (Gidu) giving Gidu his first G1 as a freshman sire.

Trained by internationally experienced trainer Diego Peña, the winner added a crucial breeding component—giving freshman sire Gidu (Frankel) his first G1 winner as a stallion. That metric is double-fold: a first classic by a freshman sire not only lights up stats but validates the haras’s choice and feeds future production value. Gidu’s 2022 crop totals 52 foals, and next season there will be only 16 two-year-olds, all owned by Haras Gran Muñeca. Haras Gran Muñeca’s effectiveness, years with Full Mast (Mizzen Mast), now with Gidu (Frankel), and their pastures await the offspring of Made You Look (More Than Ready), the operation led by Hernán Gasibe with collaboration from Dr. Juan Garat.

Podium for Moon Frank (Gidu). From left to right: Dr. Juan P. Garat, Mr. Hernán Gasibe, Moon Frank, her team, and Diego Peña with relatives.

Moon Sale (Not For Sale), the dam of the filly, is a multiple classic winner in Argentina. Since 2016 she has produced five named foals; all ran, four won, and Moon Frank is the first G1. The family, from Haras Las Ortigas (Ignacio Correas II and III), and for the past three dams from the now-defunct Haras San Lorenzo de Areco, offers valuable quality for those considering the filly as a future broodmare. Not just a single race record, but a line with fertility, soundness, and ability to convert phenotype into performance. Practically, she not only leads her generation, but also raises her residual value for a second chapter at stud through both results and dam line consistency.

In São Paulo, Cidade Jardim distributed their jewels in a Haras Río Iguassú double showing their precision in big races. In the Ipiranga (G1) for colts, Star Do Iguassú (Outstrip) met favoritism with an authoritative win under João Moreira. Coming off a second behind Oderich (Drosselmeyer) in the Taça de Prata (G1), and with the absence of both Oderich and Tá Legal (Can The Man), he still solved a demanding mile racing equation. The best colt from Paraná covered the 8-furlong on São Paulo’s turf in 1:33.74—a time that highlights his performance; he knew how to take control, assume favorite responsibilities, and win with ease.

Star Do Iguassú (Outstrip) winning comfortably by 11/4 lengths.

Star Do Iguassú is out of Energia Halo (Gloria de Campeão), bred by Haras Estrella Energía. In her seven starts, she won four races, one at G2 level, and another G2 second-place, she never finished off the board. Energia Halo already produced Pearl Do Iguassú (Forestry), a talented winner of five races (including a listed), with two classic placings in G2 and G1. Her third product, Quico Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten), won 2 of his 3 starts. The fourth product is this precocious colt. It would be good to see him at Jockey Club Paulista, São Paulo’s second Triple Crown jewel, though this year it will be run on October 18 at Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, because that Saturday is reserved for the Grand Premio Latinoamericano (G1), the highest-rated race in South American turf.

Genetically, Star Do Iguassú may excel at distance. Not only is he by Outstrip (Exceed And Excel), but his maternal line suggests he can sustain his class. He carries a 5x5x5x5 inbreeding to Northern Dancer (Nearctic). His second dam, Super Electric (Choctaw Ridge), won 3 and placed in listed, G3, and G2 races. She produced Energia Halo and the globetrotting Energia Fox (Agnes Gold), who raced at Gávea, was second in the 2013 G.P. Latinoamericano in Santiago, and later ran in Europe and Dubai. She competed across three continents: South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

This maternal line, {9‑h}, was imported by Haras Calunga via Sassy Miss (Sassafras) in the 1980s. She produced two classic winners and her daughters produced multiple black-type winners such as Sushi-Bar (Jato Dagua), a sprinter classic winner in 2003/04, and listed winners Super-Forte (Choctaw Ridge) and Super Hina (Choctaw Ridge).

The structure behind these results adds clarity to the Pelanda family double and their turf dominance over recent seasons. This product, bred and owned by Haras Río Iguassú, is trained by Antonio Oldoni and ridden by Moreira. Their team executes an integrated program combining home breeding that prioritizes a specific type, producing year after year incredible, talented runners. Their sports operation maximizes their horses’ potential, especially with one of the world’s top jocks, “The Magic Man” João Moreira, significantly reducing the narrow margin for error. When a homebred wins the series’ first G1, it’s not mere fortune, it’s evidence the program works. And when it repeats with another homebred mare that afternoon, it becomes a trend.

Summer Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten) on the outside, Veil (Can The Man) held on inside.

The Barão de Piracicaba (G1) was highlighted as the peak of the São Paulo card, not only for the result but for the time. The fillies ran 1:32.89, a time 0.85 seconds faster than the colts. The race featured Veil (Can The Man), bred at Haras Santa Julieta in Aceguá for Dante Luiz Franceschi, now owner of Haras Belmont, setting the pace from the start. She was overtaken in the final strides by Summer Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten) in a finish pitting bravery against the charging Rio Iguassú filly. The time comparison with the Ipiranga (G1) speaks volumes the female generation in Brazil is strong and fast. For the Pelanda operation, the win has added meaning. Their invincible Special Do Iguassú (Forestry) didn’t run, being not quite fit for this race, but the Haras chose to showcase another top-tier option and the plan paid off.

The dam of Summer Do Iguassú is a daughter of Wild Event (Wild Again), her fourth foal and first stakes winner. All progeny by Camelot Kitten out of Wild Event mares show a 3x4 duplication to the dam North Of Eden (Northfields), dam of the late Wild Event and third dam of Haras Río Iguassú’s sire, located at Paraná. This cross also creates a 5x5 inbreeding to Northern Dancer (Nearctic).

In Montevideo, Maroñas mirrored São Paulo’s pattern: hot early fractions, bold leaders, and characterful finishes, evidence that a breeding project, fueled by method and accumulation, became dominant over the weekend. The Polla de Potrancas (G3) went to Tantan Royal (Midshipman) over favorite Grandinata (Trinniberg), who had run the opening 4 furlongs in 45.49, paying for that early effort late. The filly, under Antonio Luiz Cintra’s team and ridden by Héctor F. Lazo of Haras Phillipson, managed the effort precisely, tracking in the second flight and producing a strong stretch run. She is now the generation’s leader. In a month, the GP Selección (G3) over 10 furlongs will be run, Tantan Royal could be the standout.

Tantan Royal (Midshipman) passing from the outside.

The genetic blueprint explains the outcome’s predictability. Tantan Royal is by Leca Princess (T. H. Approval), an unraced mare but perfect as a dam. Her first product, Sandrin Royal (Will Take Charge), is a three-time winner including a maiden, special handicap, and a G3 stakes. Her second is Tantan Royal, also a G3 winner. Looking ahead, she has a 2023 colt by Creative Cause (Giant’s Causeway), another shuttle stallion used by Haras Phillipson. The colt is named Timbrothers. However, the mare now resides at Haras Don Juca in Caraguatá, owned by Jorge and Santiago Jacobo of Stud El Caverna.

In her pedigree appears a deliberate Caro duplication, 4x4 in her last 9 generations. It’s no accident but a choice by Benjamín Steinbruch, a passionate advocate of Caro. The second dam, Risk Adjusted (Ski Champ), won a race at Cidade Jardim and ran in listed and group races, adding toughness and speed. Add to this that Phillipson took Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) on shuttle in 2021 from Darley, and you see a precise formula: sire choice, maternal genetic definition with breed-leading duplication, heavy breeding investment, all delivering on track.

The Polla de Potrillos (G3) followed the logic of efficiency outperforming flash-in-the-pan brilliance, Phillipson won the first leg of Uruguay’s Triple Crown for the third consecutive year. Rock Walk (2023) and the triple crown winner Suablenanav TH (2024), now Tadow Star (Midshipman), ridden by Luis Alberto Cáceres and trained by Brazilian Raimundo Soares, exclusive trainer for the operation. This colt had repeatedly followed stablemate Touch Of Destiny (Midshipman), now training in California for Michael McCarthy readying for the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar.

Tadow Star (Midshipman) arriving to the winner’s circle.

This time consistency became a title, he took the first jewel emphatically, by comfortable 3 lengths. His dam, Jada (T. H. Approval), continues the pattern. The Midshipman - T. H. Approval nick cross confirms the 4×4 Caro, while the dam adds a third line via Punk (Ringaro), a paternal grandson of the Irish breed leader, resulting in Caro 4x4x5. Second dam Redundancia (Punk) won twice at Cidade Jardim. Third dam Jalea (Two Harbors), bred in Argentina by Haras La Doma, is foundational to Phillipson’s mares under Benjamín.

When these three selective duplication elements, proven maternal lines, and significant shuttle investment align, the chances of producing classic-caliber and uniform foals increase.

Benjamín Steinbruch receiving the G3 Polla de Potranca’s trophy.

The Steinbruch operation is at its peak, with homebreds, a triple crown winner in Kentucky, a 2-year-old ready for international mile competition, aiming for a second triple crown. A feat never seen in Uruguayan horse racing industry: back-to-back Triple Crown winners bred on the same farm. Phillipson’s success isn’t luck, it’s methodical. Years after entering Uruguay, they structured staff and processes, reformed prep training, and recently invested in an all-weather breaking track, a change directly impacting athlete quality entering training. That decision standardizes stimuli, reduces early unpredictability, and, above all, harmonizes communication between breeders and trainers. We recall their 2015 generation when mostly Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector) offspring were produced via shuttle, the big investment ended in poorly favored, problematic juveniles underperforming on track. In Uruguay’s environment, that should’ve sparked concern; instead, they used it as healthy competitive tension and improved. In racing, no one is required to copy methods, but anyone contesting major classics is compelled to reassess their processes.

Several common threads ran through Latin American tracks: the mile, whether at Palermo, Cidade Jardim, or Maroñas, remains the supreme athletic lab, testing a blend of speed and stamina. The 46.72 opening for 4 furlongs in the Buenos Aires Polla, the 1:32.89 by the fillies in São Paulo, and the 45.49 initial fraction by Grandinata in Montevideo, three distinct figures telling the same story: demanding distance punishes those who can’t convert speed into extension across a full trip.

Those six winners came from four different owner-breeders. Is breeding ownership the most effective stable model? Should owners buy land, build facilities, and breed to win a G1? Integrated structures, breeding, training, and racing as a whole, best translate blueprints into winner’s circle photos and stakes trophies. Río Iguassú in Paraná, Brazil, and Phillipson in Lavalleja, Uruguay, apply consistent programs that, though different in style, share coherent methodology. Retaining their best foals is inevitable. Haras Gran Muñeca has produced three G1 winners in Argentina, Tan Gritona (Full Mast), Full Keid (Full Mast), and now Moon Frank (Gidu), all for their turquoise and black silks; meanwhile, Full Serrano (Full Mast) ran for them until sold to the U.S. and captured the latest Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Río Iguassú retains most of their annual production; Phillipson sells none of theirs, a tradition since founding in Brazil, continuing via operations in São Paulo, Argentina, and now Uruguay. A few American-market yearlings from Brownwood Farm have been sold, but they’re the exception because this market it’s worth it.

Haras Río Iguassú’s facilities in Paraná, Brazil.

And that’s not bad. It’s the rules of the game. Breeders possess racing’s most valuable asset, the maternal lines. Not just background, they’re the energy behind sustainable projects. Moon Sale at Gran Muñeca, Leca Princess at Phillipson, and Energia Halo at Río Iguassú, three mares with diverse profiles aligned in what matters: multiplicity. And breeding models that function sensibly in context: boutique sires with small books like Distinctiv Passion convert limited resources into high efficiency. Freshman sires like Gidu landing their first G1 sustain value with controlled supply. Shuttle sires aligned with a defined female genetic pattern like Midshipman with replicated 4x4 Caro create consistent crops and repeated success. Pedigree economics, like biomechanics, explain why some races are won. El Alfalfar invested in its own stallion and sustained him with internal mares; Gran Muñeca backed a freshman, controlled supply, and capitalized on the first G1; Río Iguassú built internal selection logic, aligned teams, and executed it precisely. Phillipson imported a shuttle sire, defined genetic matrices with Caro duplication, built a sandbox, and professionalized systems. None guarantee a G1, but they boost the odds that when a good colt or filly appears, the structure is ready.

A closed recipe doesn’t exist; this weekend gave a candid answer: there is no recipe, there is method. A method that starts with a multiplying broodmare, goes through a sire that amplifies what she already offers, is trained by a team who believe, and validated by a clock that, when it says yes, arrives with the naturalness of good planning from the start. When that circle closes, six races like these happen. Even amid economies where purses aren’t strong, remember, the path remains the same: wise genetics, rigorous breeding, and courage to invest even when temptation says “wait.” In Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Montevideo it was shown: when bets are made in the right order, results appear on time.