Led by the remarkable Group 1 winners El Kodigo and Don Feres, a highly competitive 20-horse field is all set to take on Saturday's prestigious Group 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional. This 1 1/2-mile race at Hipodromo de San Isidro outside Buenos Aires is set to be a thrilling spectacle. The winner of this South America's most esteemed race will earn an automatic starting position in next year's $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: A Gateway to Prestige

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series stands as an international series of stakes races that offer automatic starting positions and fee reimbursements to winners. These winners then get the opportunity to compete in the corresponding race of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, scheduled to take place on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Del Mar. This series serves as a crucial pathway for horses to achieve global recognition and compete on the biggest stage.The Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional, with starters representing Argentina, Brazil, Peru, and Uruguay, marks the first race of the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. It brings together some of the finest horses from different corners of South America, promising an exciting showdown. 1: The significance of this race within the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series cannot be overstated. It provides a platform for horses to showcase their talents and earn a coveted spot in the world's most prestigious horse racing event. The automatic starting positions and financial incentives make it a highly sought-after competition for trainers and jockeys alike. 2: The international nature of the series adds to its allure. Horses from different countries come together to compete, creating a diverse and dynamic racing environment. This not only showcases the talent of South American horses but also promotes international cooperation and competition in the world of horse racing.

El Kodigo: The Argentine Powerhouse

Juan Antonio's 4-year-old El Kodigo has been the top older horse in Argentina this year. With an impressive record of 12: 8-2-1, he has earned three Group 1 victories and won six of his last seven starts under the guidance of trainer Juan Saldivia. A son of Equal Stripes, El Kodigo has demonstrated equal prowess on both turf and dirt. 1: In his last three starts, all at 1 1/2 miles, El Kodigo swept two races at Hipodromo Argentino. He took the General San Martin (G1) on turf on Sept. 7 and then dominated the Vicente L. Casares (G2) on dirt on Oct. 6 by an astonishing 13 lengths. His recent victory in the Copa de Oro – Alfredo Lalor (G1) by 1 1/2 lengths over Jazz Seiver, with Intense for Me finishing third, further solidified his status as a top contender. 2: El Kodigo's ability to perform consistently at different distances and on different surfaces is a testament to his talent and versatility. He will break from the extreme outside post 20 under Gustavo Calvente, adding an extra element of challenge to his already difficult task.

Don Feres: The Peruvian Champion

Don Feres has been the top horse in Peru for the past two years, boasting a record of 13: 9-2-2. Trained by Juan Suarez for Stud Jet Set, he won his first five races of the 2022-2023 season on his way to becoming Peru's champion grass horse. The son of Singe The Turf has captured his last four starts this year, all at Monterrico in Lima, including his most recent Group 2 scores in the Oct. 13 Clasico Almirante Miguel Grau Seminario and the Nov. 2 Clasico Presidente de la Republica at 1 1/2 miles. 1: Significantly, Don Feres has solid experience over the San Isidro course, finishing second in the 2023 Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). He will be ridden from post 12 by leading South American jockey Carlos Trujillo. His consistent form and ability to perform on different tracks make him a serious contender in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional. 2: Don Feres' success in Peru and his recent performances in Group 2 races indicate that he is in top form and ready to take on the best in Argentina. His presence in the field adds an international flavor to the competition and raises the stakes for all the contenders.

3-Year-Olds in the Weight-for-Age Race

Among the 3-year-olds who are expected to be prominent in the weight-for-age race are Acento Final and Honest Boy. They were the first two finishers in the controversial 1 1/4-mile Jockey Club (G1) on Oct. 5, which was the second jewel of Argentina's Triple Crown. 1: Trained by Nicolas Martin Ferro, Acento Final took the lead inside the final furlong of the Jockey Club at San Isidro and appeared to force the fast-closing Honest Boy to check in the final yards. However, a jockey's objection was disallowed. A son of Treasure Beach, Acento Final will be ridden by Kevin Baneagas from post 4. His performance in the Jockey Club has already established him as a force to be reckoned with. 2: Honest Boy, by Heliostatic, will be making just his fifth start for trainer Juan Etchechoury, who has saddled winners in two of the last three editions of the Carlos Pellegrini. He finished second in the Sept. 14 American Lion Award prior to the Jockey Club. Ivan Monasterolo has the mount from post 13. Both Acento Final and Honest Boy bring their own strengths and potential to the race, making it a closely contested battle among the 3-year-olds.

Grezzo: The Rising Star

Starting from post 1 is another 3-year-old, Grezzo, a son of 2015 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini winner Hi Happy. After finishing fourth in the Jockey Club, Grezzo, trained by Marina Bragante, stepped up to 1 1/2 miles for the first time in the Nov. 2 De la Provincia Buenos Aires (G3) and won it by 3 1/2 lengths. 1: Grezzo's performance in the De la Provincia Buenos Aires demonstrated his ability to handle longer distances and improve with each start. He will be ridden by Eduardo Pavon and is expected to make his mark in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional. 2: As a son of a previous winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, Grezzo has big shoes to fill. But his recent success gives him the confidence and momentum to compete with the best in the field and potentially make a name for himself.

Other Contenders

Jazz Seiver made a strong closing burst from 11th place to finish second in last year's race as the 9-5 favorite. This year, the 5-year-old Juan Manual Etchechoury-trained son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver has won two of five starts, highlighted by his second Group 1 triumph in the De Honor-Copa Julio y Carlos Menditeguy on April 6 at Hipodromo Argentino. He will be ridden by Francisco Fernandez from post 7. 1: Jazz Seiver's ability to come from behind and finish strongly makes him a dangerous contender. His previous success in Group 1 races and his experience in the San Isidro track give him an edge over some of the other horses. 2: Intense for Me has finished in the top three in his last seven starts. Trained by Nicolas Martin, the 4-year-old son of Fortify has won two Group 2 stakes this year at San Isidro. He will be ridden by Javier Martin and breaks from post 18. His consistent form and ability to perform well in important races make him a reliable contender.Breeders’ Cup will pay the entry fees for the winner of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini Internacional to start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Breeders’ Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete. The winner must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20, 2025 to receive the rewards.