Bal A Bali, one of the best 3-year-old colts in Brazil in recent history, ran in near-world record time when he won the 1,600-meter Estado do Rio de Janeiro Stakes (Brz-I) Jan. 12 in a time of 1:31.36.
The victory at Gavea racecourse by the son of Put It Back in the first leg of Brazil's Triple Crown shattered the local record of 1:32.29 set by Jet in 2007 and approached the time of 1:31 raced by Riton in the 1,600-meter Premio Horacio Bustillo (Arg-III) 1995 at San Isidro Racetrack (Candy Ride won the 2002 Joaquin S. de Anchorena (Arg-I) at the same distance in 1:31.01). The closest North American equivalent is 1:31.23 at a mile (1,609 meters) on grass set by Mandurah at Monmouth Park in 2010.
Bal a Bali posted his seventh win, four of which have been in stakes, in eight starts by accelerating in the stretch to open and won by more than seven lengths over Baccelo (by Northern Afleet ).
Bal a Bali was bred by Haras Santa Maria de Araras and is owned by Stud Alvarenga.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly reported the distance of the Estado do Rio de Janeiro Stakes, which is 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs).
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