SAO PAULO, BZ—FEBRUARY 4, 2013—The trials for the Bank of America South America Championship Challenge were conducted Saturday, with eight horses set to return for the February 24 trial at the Sorocaba Jockey Club in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Topping the finalists for the $105,000 race is the 4-year-old mare Italia Gold. Racing in the third of three trials, the mare outran fellow qualifier Nevaeh by a dominating 4 3/4 lengths, completing the 440 yards in :21.50.

Italia Gold is owned by Haras Sao Matheus and was bred by Gianni Franco Samaja. Sired by Gold Medal Jess, the mare is out of the Chicks Beduino mare Jusjumpin, a daughter of champion Jumping Tac Flash. Italia Gold is a half sister to the Corona For Me stallion Fantastic For Me, who won the 2011 edition of the race and was named the sport's very first South American champion.

The trials were conducted without the racing lanes typically used in South America.

For the complete list of qualifiers, times, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Courtesy of www.aqharacing.com