Written by @Turfeeunapolis

SOROCABA, BRAZIL–SEPTEMBER 28, 2025–The qualifying trials for the GP São Paulo were the highlight on Saturday, September 27 at the Jockey Club de Sorocaba, South America’s premier Quarter Horse racing venue. The event marked the opening leg of the Triple Crown for juveniles.

Twelve 2-year-olds competed across four trials, with only the winners advancing to the October 11 final. The championship carries a purse of R$150,000 (US$28,031) over 301 meters (330 yards). The local track record belongs to the recently retired Fantastic Feature, who set the standard at 16.046 seconds.

Trial 1 – Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL Impresses

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Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL opened the GP São Paulo trials in style. A R$1,200,000 (US$220,000) purchase by Roberto Sylvio Abdala, the filly — one of the season’s top highlights — left no doubt about her superiority, taking the lead immediately after the break and stopping the timer in 16.734 seconds.

Ridden by jockey Ari Andrade and trained by I. Nascimento, known as “Guaxinim,” she remains unbeaten after three starts with a 102 speed index. Bred by the renowned Haras Portofino, who also breeds and races in the United States, Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL is sired by Flying Cowboy 123, a leading sire every crop to race.

Her dam, White Zoom (by Shazoom), is among Brazil’s most influential broodmares, making the filly a half-sister to Teller Turim MRL, two-time winner of the Brazilian Champion of Champions.

Trial 2 – Encantada For Me PK Shines with Fastest Time

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The second heat — considered the most anticipated and technically balanced — was won by Encantada For Me PK, who delivered a brilliant performance, drawing clear and recording the fastest qualifying time of the day in 16.616 seconds.

GP Super Sprint champion Nefertari finished second, followed by Tereza Gold HWS, winner of the Torneio Início, in third.

Trained by Marcos Tavares — who conditioned Brazilian superstar Miss Isao JQM, unbeaten in her first ten starts in 2022 and now racing at Los Alamitos — Encantada For Me PK confirmed the team’s outstanding form. Earlier this season, Tavares was runner-up in both the Brazilian Futurity and the GP ABQM Potro do Futuro with the same filly.

Bred by Plínio de Rezende Kiehl, Encantada For Me PK is by Corona For Me out of Miss Encantada PK (by Tres Seis). Owned by Haras Comanche, she was ridden by Decival Silva, one of the most accomplished jockeys in Brazilian Quarter Horse racing history.

Trial 3 – Mio Coraggio Goes Wire-to-Wire

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Mio Coraggio captured the third GP São Paulo trial with a dominant gate-to-wire performance under jockey Vicente Barros and trainer Flavio Melo, a duo that collected major trophies throughout 2024.

The Granite Lake colt out of Jess Because (Mr Jess Perry) covered the 301 meters (330 yards) in 16.890 seconds. A finalist in both the Torneio Início and the GP Megarace, Mio Coraggio consistently ranks among the elite of his generation in Group 1 stakes competition.

With three career victories, Mio Coraggio represents the elite breeding program of Haras Prata, which staged the largest auction in Brazilian history this season, grossing R$17,373,000 (US$3,250,000).

Trial 4 – Apollitical Jr Completes the Lineup

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Haras Prata also shone in Trial 4, this time as the owner of Apollitical Jr, another top-class son of Apollitical Jess excelling in Brazil.

Out of Paint Your Lips (by Corona Cartel), he is a full brother to Miss Apolitical Jess, recent winner of the GP ABQM Potro do Futuro. Bred by Jamil Name and Levir Melo, Apollitical Jr clocked 16.906 seconds, again ridden by Vicente Barros and conditioned by Flavio Melo, who added another victory to his outstanding season.

Purchased for R$792,000 (US$148,000) at the 2024 Leilão Top das Estrelas hosted by Rancho Fundo, Apollitical Jr now moves on to another major challenge in his promising career.

GP São Paulo Finalists
The October 11 GP São Paulo — first leg of the Triple Crown — will feature Lasvegas Cowgirl MRL, Encantada For Me PK, Mio Coraggio, and Apollitical Jr.

GP Taça de Bronze – Lendario Gold HBR Adds to Résumé

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In addition to the GP São Paulo trials, the Jockey Club de Sorocaba’s most recent race meeting also featured the GP Taça de Bronze, where Lendario Gold HBR captured the title.

The 4-year-old sorrel is by Gold Medal Jess — leading sire and direct son of Mr Jess Perry — out of the top-producing mare Charlotte Bryan (by Blazen Bryan). Bred by Haras Brasil/Haras Sampaio, Lendario Gold HBR was ridden by experienced jockey Ariel Lima and is part of the stable of trainer Marcos Artemam. The talented runner represents the powerful Stud GPI, one of South America’s leading Quarter Horse owners and investors.

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