Few were more deserving of a Grade 1 than Crazy Talent, who settled the score in the Gran Premio de Honor

Leaning on the experience of Miguel Suárez and Juan Carlos Noriega, the Stud Aladino runner secured the long-sought victory

Crazy Talent and Juan C. Noriega proved a winning team / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

Few horses in training in Argentina were more deserving of a top-level victory than Crazy Talent, who finally reached that long-awaited milestone Saturday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, capturing the Gran Premio de Honor (G1, 2000m) in style. The prestigious race, a key leg of the Campeonato de Oro, marked the bay’s rise to the top of the country’s dirt stayers.

The son of Equal Talent had knocked on the G1 door three times in 2024 alone, beginning with a narrow defeat in last year’s renewal of this same race. He followed that up with strong runner-up finishes in the Gran Premio General San Martín (G1) and the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1), each run over a different surface.

Versatile, honest, and remarkably consistent, Crazy Talent was one of just two horses to defeat El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) last season—doing so in the Clásico Comparación (G2). Now, with the experience of trainer Miguel Suárez and jockey Juan Carlos Noriega behind him, the 5-year-old has finally gotten his due.

Suárez, a longtime assistant to legendary conditioner Roberto Pellegatta, has done a superb job managing Crazy Talent’s career. Noriega, nicknamed “Chupino,” added the finishing touch with a masterful ride, allowing the pace-setting gray Preston Boss (Holy Boss) to take the lead early before sweeping up three wide around the far turn to take control in upper stretch and power home.

The favorite, promising 3-year-old Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja), made a late surge and finished a strong second, just 1 1/2 lengths back, confirming his status among the top tier of the division despite not replicating his win in the Clásico Otoño (G2). Treasure Island (Treasure Beach), who had previously edged Crazy Talent in the Dardo Rocha, returned from a layoff to finish a distant third, five lengths behind. The final time of 2:00.52 was excellent for the trip.

The major disappointment of the race came from Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), a Derby winner who faded badly after failing to secure the lead and finished last, beaten 15 3/4 lengths. Off since a dull effort in the Gran Premio Ramírez(G1) at Maroñas, his connections await veterinary evaluations to determine whether a physical issue contributed to the underwhelming performance.

Bred by La Caballeriza SA and racing in the colors of Stud Aladino, Crazy Talent has now banked over 100 million pesos in earnings and will head to the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) on May 1 as the horse to beat.