Viernes, which means Friday in Spanish, is owned by California Racing Stable, nom de course for Brazilians Helio Biscaro and Ibrahim Eris.
There is life after Farda Amiga for Paulo Lobo. The Brazilian-born trainer and his wife, Maria Carolina, remained jubilant in Barn 53 at Hollywood Park Friday after Brazilian import Viernes posted a four-length victory and a $51.60 win mutuel in the $72,900 Waya Handicap for fillies and mares on turf Thursday. The 5-year-old mare scored in stakes-record time of 2:26.38 for 1 1/2 miles on firm turf under Victor Espinoza.Lobo, completing his second full year in this country, conditioned the brilliant 3-year-old filly Farda Amiga, winner of the Kentucky Oaks and Alabama Stakes (both gr. I), before her recent retirement.Viernes snapped to life after three disappointing efforts in this country. "The 1 1/2-mile distance was the key," explained Lobo of the mare's awakening. "This is the first chance I had to run her that long. Races at 1 1/2 miles are hard to find. She has a half-brother in Brazil who was a champion distance horse. I'm going to try to keep running her long if I can find a race."
