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 Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  NEWMARKET, 4.20, Mdn, 15,000, 2yo, 7fT, 1:24.20, gd

  Rio de la Plata, C, 2, by Rahy

1st Dam: Express Way (Arg), by Ahmad (Arg)

2nd Dam: Escaline, by Hawk (Brz)

3rd Dam: Escolastica (Arg), by Great Host (GB)

This race, known as the Strutt & Parker, has been won by past equine celebrities such as Alhaarth (Ire), Bahhare and Dubai Destination, and Rio de la Plata was looking to add a third renewal to the Godolphin annuls. Third on debut over six furlongs of this circuit 19 days previously, the chestnut was sent off the 11-4 second choice to build on that experience and traveled easily in front from the outset. Shaken up by Frankie Dettori inside the final quarter, the $65,000 KEENOV weanling, $75,000 KEESEP yearling and 170,000gns TATAPR juvenile purchase responded to some light taps with the whip to draw away from Fifteen Love (Point Given) and record a five-length success. "Rio de la Plata had really improved since his first run and the step up in distance to seven furlongs also helped him today," trainer Saeed bin Suroor said. "We have no definite plans, although we will look for a group race for him now. Being by Rahy, he should stay further." The winner is a half brother to El Expresivo (Arg) (Candy Stripes, G1SW-Arg); and to Epsilon (Arg) (Acceptable, GSP-Arg). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, £10,678.

O: Godolphin | B: Jose de Camargo, Robert N. Clay, Gainsborough Farm LLC, et al | T: Saeed bin Suroor