For Citana, winning with explosive late runs is quickly becoming a habit

Just like she did on debut at San Isidro, the daughter of Endorsement kept her unbeaten record intact in the Clásico Fortunato Damiani (G3), dethroning Calle de Tierra as the top 2-year-old filly at La Plata

Locked together like the halves of an alfajor, Citana nailed Calle de Tierra right at the wire / HLP

LA PLATA, Argentina—And just like that, racing returned to El Bosque, as if nothing had happened. More than two weeks of inactivity and calls for improved care for jockeys and exercise riders following accidents were quickly left behind, replaced by a few cosmetic changes before business resumed—until the next incident, of course. The show must go on.

The result of poor management was evident in the numbers, with the day's handle totaling just 166 million pesos—the lowest of the year—during yet another abbreviated program. But the real concern isn’t the present, it’s the future. And one doesn’t need to be a prophet to know how this story will continue, with the state meddling in an industry it clearly doesn’t know how to manage.

On the track, the 2-year-old fillies continued their march through the early stages of the division, with the Clásico Fortunato Damiani (G3, 1300m) providing a turning point. It marked the end of Calle de Tierra’s (Strategos) reign and the rise of Citana, who is quickly making a name for herself with eye-catching late runs.

After a dazzling stretch rally to break her maiden over 1000 meters on the San Isidro turf straight, the daughter of Endorsement followed a similar path on this occasion—over a longer trip, around a turn, and over dirt—coming from far back once again to collar the heavy favorite right at the wire, winning by half a head.

“We knew Calle de Tierra had a lot of speed, so our plan was to come from behind and steal whatever we could—and we ended up with the win,” said jockey Gonzalo Borda. “She’s not very quick early, and the extra distance really suited her. We have a lot of confidence in her.”

Trained by Marcelo Sueldo and representing Stud Pauli, Citana is a homebred of Haras Gran Muñeca and was presented by Juan Pablo Díaz.

She is the second foal out of City Flash (Grand Reward), a full sister to G1 winner City Wonder and G2 heroine City Glam, from the family of the outstanding City Banker (Lode).