The most prestigious race in Viña del Mar set for Sunday at 7:45 PM over its traditional 2400 meters
VALPARAÍSO, Viña del Mar (Special para Turf Diario).- El Derby (G1), the third leg of the Chilean Triple Crown and one of the few enduring traditions in the nation’s racing calendar, takes center stage this Sunday, February 2, at 7:45 PM. Horco Molle, the standout representative of Stud Jujuy, enters the prestigious 2400-meter contest as the horse to beat.
Undefeated in three starts, the son of Good Samaritan, bred by Haras Matriarca and trained by Mario Rabajille, will face 15 challengers in a race that promises to be anything but a walkover.
The grandson of Easing Along successfully returned from an eight-month layoff to maintain his perfect record at the Club Hípico de Santiago. Now, sharper and fitter, he appears primed to secure the most significant victory of his burgeoning career.
Among his competitors are a contingent of fillies—Lucky Red (Midshipman), Día de Otoño (Mendelssohn), Cassis Violeta (Midshipman), Play For Me (Mendelssohn), and Good Sea (Good Samaritan)—seeking to emulate Nenufar Azul (Lookin At Lucky), the last filly to win this prestigious race in 2022. Her controversial victory remains a talking point in the Quinta Region.
Horco Molle’s path to Valparaíso’s biggest stage is a testament to his undeniable talent. His successful return from an extended break has cemented his status as the favorite in El Derby (G1), the pinnacle of Chilean racing. The event is expected to electrify the grandstands at the Sporting Club on Avenida Los Castaños, though logistical adjustments were required due to the ongoing forest fire crisis and regional security concerns.
The field also features Argentine contender Bucéfalo (Daddy Long Legs), representing Stud Los Leones. Bucéfalo aims to avenge the runner-up finish of his paternal sibling, Daktari, in last year’s edition, where the formidable Kay Army (Katmai) prevailed.
Bucéfalo debuted victoriously at Hipódromo Chile and performed admirably in key Sporting stakes races, finishing third in the El Estreno (G2) and Copa de Plata (G2) and fourth in the Gonzalo Bofill (G2). In his most recent outing, he returned with a strong third-place effort in the Copa Jackson (G2) and appears poised to make his presence felt in Sunday’s grand event.
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