Arkansas City and Menguante Chuck Shine Down the Straight at Palermo

The juvenile fillies each earned their maiden victories, while apprentice jockey Lucas González celebrated a milestone with his 100th career win

Menguante Chuck kicked off her career in the best possible way / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Monday’s card at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo featured a number of strong allowance races, highlighted by a pair of 1000-meter heats for 2-year-olds on the main track that produced eye-catching performances and a key career milestone.

The fillies kicked things off early in the day in the Premio Infiltrada, where third time proved the charm for Arkansas City (Angiolo–Syracuse, by Sebi Halo). Bred by Los Patrios / El Paraíso, the chestnut filly finally broke through with a confident score under Iván Monasterolo for trainer Guillermo Frenkel Santillán.

Sent straight to the front, she dictated terms comfortably and began to widen her advantage from the 300-meter mark, crossing the wire 2 lengths ahead of Tengo Prisa (Mootasadir), with heavy favorite Castaña Pass (Distinctiv Passion) finishing a further 1 1/2 lengths back in third.

Previously raced only on turf, Arkansas City clearly relished the switch to dirt. She is a half-sister to Lágrimas y Sonrisas (Le Blues), winner of the G1 Gran Premio Selección at La Plata, and hails from a strong female line rooted in the now-defunct Haras Argentino.

Later in the day, the second division of the Premio Infiltrada showcased a sparkling debut from Menguante Chuck(Chuck Berry–Mayla Inc, by Include), bred by Haras La Catedral de Palermo.

Representing Los Pingos de Todos, the Azulean filly was slow into stride but began to improve steadily from the 500-meter mark. Despite switching leads multiple times, she surged late to win comfortably by 2 1/2 lengths over Dubai Hit (Hit It a Bomb), while the odds-on favorite Sun Is Shinning (Springdom) failed to fire and settled for fourth.

Menguante Chuck clocked 56.22 for the distance, slightly faster than the 56.38 recorded by Arkansas City in the first division.

Also noteworthy on the card was a major milestone for apprentice jockey Lucas González, who notched the 100th winof his budding career. That success came aboard Icona Pop (Cosmic Trigger–Lolita Rate, by Exchange Rate), a filly from Gustavo A. Triñanes's barn representing Don Polo.

The 1200-meter Premio Pallars marked her third career win, with Icona Pop pulling away late to score by 2 lengths in 1:09.34. With the century mark reached, González will now reduce his apprentice claim to 2 kilos and sits just 20 wins shy of full graduation.