Gran Dali came with a withering run down the center of the course in the final eighth of a mile to claim victory in the G1 Clasico Alberto Vial by just over two lengths at Club Hipico de Santiago on Sunday, 23 June.
Not only did the two-year-old Midshipman colt win for the second time in four starts, he captured the G1 in what was his Stakes debut.
A full field of 13 went to the post in the one-mile contest, with Remarkable being sent off as the slight favorite. At the start it was Lonwhite and Orazio sent to the front to set the pace, as Gran Dali settled just off the pace in fifth, in the clear on the outside.
The runners continued in that order for most of the race, until they entered the home straight. It was that point when Gran Dali hit another gear and took off as he came with a relentless run on the far outside to sweep past the longtime leaders to take command, eventually hitting the wire two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Lonwhite. Dragonfly closed belatedly to take third.
Bred in Chile by Haras Don Alberto, Gran Dali is out of Glamorosa Soy, a Graded Stakes-placed half sister to Un Guarito (3rd G2 Diego S. Herrera Martinez).
Midshipman is the sire of 2024 Oaklawn Park Stakes winner Midshipman's Dance and is also represented by 12 other worldwide Stakes horses. He also has the distinction of being the only stallion with multiple juvenile Stakes winners at Saratoga in 2023 – two-time Stakes winner, Amidst Waves and Ship Cadet.
