The son of Il Campione shone once again at Palermo, this time capturing the mile in the G3 Clásico El Virtuoso over a muddy track
El Exito is on track to defend his title in the G1 Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF on May 1, his confidence soaring as he follows the same path that crowned him the top dirt miler of early 2024.
After a convincing return to the winner’s circle in the Clásico Good Manners, the chestnut once again delivered a standout performance on the main track at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, this time proving his prowess over a muddy surface to add the G3 Clásico El Virtuoso (1600m) to his resume. The feature race of a dreary Monday card—marked by alternating rain and calm—only solidified his dominance.
Versatile as ever, the Il Campione colt took full advantage of the lack of early speed, controlling the pace despite Black Stripes (Equal Stripes) applying pressure, and proved unyielding in the stretch. Where most runners begin to tire, the Stud F. Enrique flagbearer always finds another gear.
His preference for dirt is undeniable, though it’s not that he’s ineffective on turf—he did secure the Listed Clásico Urbano de Iriondo and Listed Clásico Haras Ojo de Agua on the lawn. He simply excels on the main track, where, aside from a last-place finish in his debut, he has risen to the top.
Martín Valle has been his partner in every one of his victories and was once again aboard. He knows El Exito inside and out—when to wait, when to ask, everything.
That’s why he didn’t hesitate to send him to the front shortly after the break, nor did he panic when Francisco Leandro, sensing the danger, urged Black Stripes forward to keep the favorite from dictating an easy tempo.
The track was demanding, but El Exito handled it with steady fractions of :23.12 and :46.19 for the opening half-mile, with Black Stripes never letting him out of his sights. As they hit the stretch, the challenger tried to apply pressure, but El Exito built an impenetrable wall, repelling the attack and drawing clear in the final furlong, just as he had done in the Good Manners.
At the wire, El Exito held a two-length advantage over Fiolo Boss (Holy Boss), who rallied on the inside to take second from a fading Black Stripes, who paid the price for his early exertion. Another 2 1/2 lengths back, Easy Way Out (Il Campione) finished a lackluster fourth, while Enloqueceme (Fragotero) trailed the field, struggling with erratic action. The final time of 1:35.89 was more than respectable given the conditions, with a six-furlong split of 1:10.77.
Bred by Haras El Paraíso and expertly conditioned by José Cristóbal Blanco, El Exito has now won 7 of his 14 career starts—a 50% strike rate—with just three off-the-board finishes and earnings of 50,917,250 pesos.
Out of Serenity Jane (Sebi Halo), from the distinguished family of Orientadora (Pepenador), El Exito now has the option of contesting the G2 Clásico Benito Villanueva, which he already conquered earlier this year, or heading straight to the Gran Premio de las Américas.
Whatever his connections decide, one thing is clear: he is back to his best and reaffirming his superiority. If he continues down this path, beating him over the dirt at Palermo will require a monumental performance.
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