Visiting Rio? Great Racing, Dining and Beaches Galore

Lucas Marquardt takes us on a tour of Rio de Janeiro, with stops at the Hipodromo Gavea, Christ the Redeemer, Iponema and more.

On Feb. 9, Hipódromo da Gávea will host the first leg of the Brazilian Triple Crown for males, the G1 Grande Prêmio Estado Do Rio De Janeiro. The filly version, the G1 Grande Prêmio Henrique Possolo, is on the same card. Both are contested over 1600 meters on turf.

Last July, writer Lucas Marquardt traveled to Rio with his wife Ada, who was teaching poetry, and spent two weeks exploring the sprawling city. Naturally he spent plenty of time at Brazil's main race course. Gávea is in one of Rio's most affluent neighborhoods and is adjacent to the upscale communities of Leblon and Ipanema, making it an ideal place for those looking to mix traditional tourism and race going.

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