El Kódigo, Labrado and Intense for Me Vie for Horse of the Year Honors

The Jockey Club Argentino has announced the finalists for the 2024 Carlos Pellegrini Awards, which will be presented Tuesday, April 29

The Jockey Club Argentino has unveiled the shortlists for the 46th edition of the Carlos Pellegrini Awards, to be held Tuesday evening, April 29, at Hipódromo de San Isidro.

As always, with votes cast by industry associations, the media and the public, all eyes will be on the announcement of the 2024 Horse of the Year, a title to be contested by El Kodigo (Equal Stripes), Intense for Me (Fortify), and Labrado (Le Blues), with the former appearing to hold the edge following a stellar campaign.

Representing Stud Juan Antonio, El Kodigo put together a brilliant season, capturing the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, G1 Gran Premio General San Martín, and G1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro, in addition to the G2 Clásico General Belgrano and G2 Clásico Vicente L. Casares. He also finished second in both the G2 Clásico Comparación and the G1 Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini.

It was in that latter event where Intense for Me narrowly defeated him, and he’ll now look to reverse the tables. The chestnut from Stud Toroquemero also won the G3 Clásico Buenos Aires, G2 Clásico América, and G2 Clásico Forli, while finishing second in the G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Classic and third in both the G1 Gran Premio General San Martín and G1 Gran Premio Copa de Oro, both times behind El Kodigo.

Labrado, meanwhile, capped another outstanding campaign, winning the G1 Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires, G1 Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint, and G1 Gran Premio Maipú, along with the G3 Clásico Paraguay, and finishing second in the G1 Gran Premio Suipacha and G1 Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué.

The same trio is nominated for Champion Older Horse, while El Kodigo and Intense for Me will square off again for Champion Stayer, with Full Keid (Full Mast) rounding out that category.

Contenders for Filly/Mare of the Year are Briennte Trigger (Cosmic Trigger), Inconmensurable (Cosmic Trigger), and Nanabush (Il Campione), each having captured a Group 1 event.

Among the 2-year-olds, Dulce Despertar (Fortify), Ooty (Dabster), and Quita Rim (Remote) will vie for Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, while Colifato Novo (Lenovo), Earth God (Cosmic Trigger), and Holy Joy (Fortify) are the nominees among the colts.

Cima de Areco (Cima de Triomphe), Inconmensurable, and Pulp Fiction (Daddy Long Legs) make up the shortlist for Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, with Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), Earth God, and Giustino (Full Mast) contending for Champion 3-Year-Old Male.

Labrado will seek a third consecutive Pellegrini title as Champion Sprinter, up against Ansia Clara (Angiolo) and Arellano (Angiolo), while Earth God, El Que Sabe (Il Campione), and Nanabush complete the field for Champion Miler.

Other categories include:

Jockey of the Year: Gustavo Calvente, Francisco Leandro, Martín ValleTrainer of the Year: Juan M. Etchechoury, Nicolás Martín Ferro, Juan SaldiviaApprentice Jockey of the Year: Joaquín Cano, Lucas González, Joaquín GuidaBroodmare of the Year: I'm Moving On (Not for Sale), Intense Look (Halo Sunshine), Nanga Parbat (Majestic Warrior)Sire of the Year: Cosmic Trigger (Lizard Island), Fortify (Distorted Humor), Il Campione (Scat Daddy)Broodmare Sire of the Year: Not for Sale (Parade Marshal), Orpen (Lure), Sebi Halo (Southern Halo)Owner of the Year: Firmamento, JCV, Juan AntonioBreeder of the Year: Haras El Paraíso, Haras Firmamento, Haras Juan Antonio

With the table set, the Argentine turf is ready to crown its champions of the 2024 season.