Cuan Chef leads a select group of confirmed runners for the Gran Premio de Honor (G1)

The latest Gran Premio Nacional (G1) winner returns to Palermo’s dirt track to face Treasure Island, Crazy Talent, and Need You Tonight; 16 fillies have been confirmed for the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (G1)

Cuan Chef, back on the track where he won the Nacional / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The confirmed entries and post positions for the Gran Premio de Honor (G1, 2000m, dirt) and the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (G1, 2200m, turf) were finalized on Monday. These races serve as key stepping stones in the Campeonato Palermo de Oro, for open company and fillies & mares, respectively, and will be contested this Saturday. Both events set the stage for the grand Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) on May 1.

In the Gran Premio de Honor, the original field of eight remains intact, headlined by the return to dirt of Cuan Chef(Daddy Long Legs), who captured the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) last season. The colt has not raced since finishing well back in the Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1) at Maroñas on January 6.

Also rebounding from a disappointing effort in that same Uruguayan feature is Treasure Island (Treasure Beach), the reigning Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) winner. He bested Crazy Talent (Equal Talent) in that La Plata classic, with the latter subsequently finishing fourth in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1). Both will face off again in this Saturday’s contest.

Adding further depth to the field are Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja), Endor Rye (Endorsement), and Operístico(Daddy Long Legs), who filled the top three spots in the Clásico Otoño (G2). Meanwhile, Preston Boss (Holy Boss) and Jardín Secreto (Endorsement) add even more intrigue to what promises to be a high-quality renewal.

In the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena, three horses were withdrawn from the original list of 16 entries, leaving a wide-open field with no clear standout. This sets the stage for an unpredictable showdown, with contenders such as Besitos de Amor (Besitos), Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja), Doña Super (Daddy Long Legs), Flavie (Seahenge), India Cheat(Suggestive Boy), Mi Bavariana (Seahenge), Olimpoa de Epiro (Southern Cat), Operata (Hi Happy), Presencial(Suggestive Boy), Punta Turquesa (Fortify), Romana Craf (Mastercraftsman), Safe With Me (Fortify), and Terzina(Suggestive Boy) all in contention for G1 glory.

Each race will offer a total purse of 42 million pesos, with 20 million pesos awarded to the winner. The entry fee for participation was set at 852,000 pesos. Official post times for the Gran Premio de Honor and Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena will be announced Tuesday when the final race cards are published.

A spectacular day of racing awaits at Palermo, with two can’t-miss G1 events set to take center stage.