Clásico Crespo: Alado Frank Looks to Turn the Tables on Fantasioso Pass

The Gran Muñeca colt will once again face off against El Alfalfar’s standout, this time over 1400 meters, with an eye on the Montevideo

Alado Frank should be more at home over 1400 meters / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The road to the top juvenile races on dirt at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo continues this afternoon with the Clásico Pedro E. y Manuel A. Crespo (G3, 1400m), a key prep for the G1 Montevideo and G1 Jorge de Atucha, set for May 1.

Just five colts will head to the gate in a race that, since its inception, has traditionally drawn small fields—an indication of the overcrowded schedule of major juvenile contests across Argentina’s three premier racetracks.

With The Great Cash (The Great Day) sitting out in anticipation of the Montevideo, his two closest pursuers from the G2 Santiago Luro return here. Fantasioso Pass (Distinctiv Passion) was runner-up, finishing just half a length behind the Firmamento gray, while Alado Frank (Gidu) checked in third, another length back.

The extra furlong (up from 1200 meters) could work in Alado Frank’s favor. He struggled previously when facing Fantasioso Pass in the G3 Guillermo Kemmis, where the latter dominated the 1000-meter dash with ease.

The seasoned Gran Porteñito (Dabster) already boasts six career starts and has never disappointed. He finished fourth in the Santiago Luro, then stepped up last time out to run a strong second by a neck to the well-regarded Full Keynote(Full Mast) over heavy turf at San Isidro in the Listed Clásico Antártida Argentina. For the imposing Stud Tinta Roja colt, today’s 1400 meters should play to his strengths.

Breaking from the outside, Majority Wins (Master of Hounds) scored a smart debut win 57 days ago over this track and trip, showing class to edge Liberto (Hurricane Cat) by a neck in a tough race. Now with more experience, Stud El Olimpo’s runner is expected to be a factor.

Rounding out the field is Hi Dolfi (Hi Happy), who needed three tries to break his maiden. After two dull efforts over 800 meters, he thrived at 1200 meters last out, defeating Liberto by half a length. He figures to keep improving.