Mirinaque (ARG) © Benoit Photo

Maria Cristina Munoz’s Mirinaque, a 4-year-old South American-bred who’ll make his first start north of the Equator next Saturday in the Grade I, $500,000 TVG Pacific Classic, drilled four furlongs in :48.80 at 12:45 this afternoon at Del Mar.

The gray/roan colt had Tiago Periera – also a South American by way of Brazil – in the tack for the exercise accomplished over a fast track on a sunny day. The son of the Storm Cat sire Hurricane Cat is an Argentinian-bred who has a limited, but impressive, race record so far.

Del Mar clocker Toby Turrell caught splits of  :12.60, :25.20 and :36.60 to start the work, then followed him on the gallop out with five furlongs in 1:00.60 and 1:14.20 for six panels.

Mirinaque has run three times, all in Grade I races in his native land. He was a winner in his first start last November, then ran second in December and second again this past March. His two most recent outing were on the grass course at San Isidro, located on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. All three of his starts were at a mile and a quarter or more.

Mirinaque is trained by his 44-year-old owner, who comes from a racing family that includes a pair of trainers in her father and grandfather, as well as a jockey in her mother.

Periera will ride Mirinaque in the mile and one-quarter TVG Pacific Classic.