Scalo Reaches Summit in Preis von Europa

Scalo notched the first group I win of his career when drawing off in the final furlong to capture the Preis von Europa (Ger-I) at Cologne Sept. 26.  

Jockey Olivier Peslier dropped 3-year-old Scalo to the back of the field as Northern Glory was sent to the front to ensure a quick pace for his stablemate and the race favorite, Night Magic. In her race prior to the Europa, Night Magic had won the Grosser Mercedes-Benz Preis von Baden (Ger-I), and the daughter of Sholokhov was hoping to add the Europa to her already impressive resume.

Northern Glory continued to show the way throughout the early stages of the race. Night Magic, who was headstrong and raced keenly under jockey Karoly Kerekes, sat just off her stablemate in third as her rider tried in vain to get her to relax.  

Peslier bided his time aboard Scalo, content to let the 3-year-old gallop along toward the rear of the field for several furlongs. Scalo began making up ground on the field as they entered the final turn.  

As the field entered the home straight, Peslier switched Scalo to the outside, giving him clear run at the leaders. The bay colt quickened immediately, driving past his rivals to take command with just over a furlong to run. Scalo continued to pull away in the final furlong, crossing the wire 1 3/4 lengths in front of Night Magic.

The 8-year-old warrior Quijano, who was making his 38th and final start, got up for third, finishing another 1 1/2 lengths farther back. Final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:34.53 over the soft turf course.

Winning trainer Andreas Wohler said after the race, “We always had the utmost confidence in this horse; he just ran two bad races in the summer and we don’t know why. He proved today that he is Germany’s top 3-year-old.”

Scalo, who races as a homebred for Gestut Ittlingen, improved his record to four wins from six starts. He is by Lando and is out of the winning Exit To Nowhere mare Sky Dancing.