June 17, 2017 – The great Vivid Wise As (3m Yankee Glide-Temple Blue Chip-Cantab Hall) took Saturday’s Gran Premio Nazionale (purse €187,000, 2250 meters autostart) at Milano over their 1050 meter oval. Enrico Bellei was the pilot for trainer Marco Smorgon. Allev. Della Serenissima SS bred the front-stepping winner of 10 of 11 career starts, and three for three this year, now for €260,821 earned. Timed in 1.12.7kr, the winner bested Vitruvio (3m Adrian Chip-Tigre OM-Zebu) driven by Pietro Gubellini and third went to Vessillo As (3m Mondiale OK-Yankee Dapple-Donerail) with Edouardo Baldi at the lines. This one was bred by the same farm as the winner.
The undercard showcased the Gran Premio Nazionale Filly (purse €66,000, 1650 meters autostart) and the 1.13.7kr timed winner was Valdivia (3f Adrian Chip-Love On The Rocks-Donerail) driven by Roberto Vecchione. The winner recorded her fifth career victory in 13 starts, as she defeated Villa Santina Jet (3f Igor Font-Lunigiana Jet-Supergill) and Vale Capar (3f Conway Hall-Madame Capar-Supergill). Scuderia Sant’Andrea SM bred the winning filly.
Thomas H. Hicks