With a flawless ride by Adrián Giannetti, the Rubén Vivas trainee showcased his talent, making it clear he will be a key contender in the division
It couldn’t have been a better stakes debut for the promising Concord, who delivered a commanding performance on the turf at Hipódromo de San Isidro this Saturday, capturing the Clásico América (G2, 1600m) and firmly establishing himself among the top contenders in the middle-distance division.
Facing far more seasoned rivals was no easy task for the Stud La Miky representative in one of the two co-featured races on a stellar northern circuit card, but the dark bay colt showed plenty of heart to leave a lasting impression.
Despite his modest frame—tipping the scales at just 436 kilos—the Remote colt had a brilliant ride from Adrián Giannetti, who saved ground along the rail and kept him full of run for the final stretch while allowing The Goat (Fortify), Particulado (Mask), and Santo Varón (Sebi Halo) to dictate the early pace.
When they straightened for home, Concord continued his inside run, and as the leaders began to fade, he effortlessly took command. On the outside, What a Man (Mastercraftsman) unleashed a furious rally after a troubled start but found no answer when Giannetti simply shook the reins, prompting Concord to respond with authority and shut down any hopes of an upset.
He hit the wire 1 1/2 lengths ahead of What a Man, who redeemed himself after finishing off the board in the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1). Estero de Iberá (Il Campione) checked in third, another 2 1/2 lengths back, with the timer stopping at 1:34.04—a fraction slower than the mark posted earlier by Obra Clásica (Daddy Long Legs) in her Fernández Guerrico (G2) victory.
Folie Ninja (Hat Ninja) closed well to take fourth, while Particulado, the race favorite, faded in the stretch and had to settle for fifth. Don Latido (John F Kennedy) never fired and finished sixth, with Bronx (Qué Vida Buena) turning in a dismal performance to trail home eighth, a major disappointment after battling for supremacy in the Clásico Horacio Bustillo (G2) last time out.
Trained by Rubén M. Vivas and bred by Haras Firmamento, Concord has been nothing short of impressive, winning four of his six starts and finishing second in the remaining two. Most notably, he remains undefeated on turf, boasting a perfect 3-for-3 record over the surface.
His pedigree offered plenty of promise from the start. His sire, Remote, currently standing at Haras Los Turfistas, is off to a sensational start this season. On the dam’s side, Concord is out of Smart Wells (Poliglote), a G1 winner in the Gran Premio Selección de Potrancas at La Plata and already the producer of Smart Day (Harlan’s Holiday)—an unbeaten runner who tragically died during training—and Smart Gulch (Thunder Gulch), another high-class performer.
Smart Wells descends from the legendary Mi Quimera (Good Manners) and is a daughter of Soy Distinguida (Rare Performer), a U.S.-bred mare who became a cornerstone for Juan Carlos Bagó’s breeding operation, producing standouts like Expressive Smart (Expressive Halo), Smart Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday), and Distinguida Lode (Lode).
With this dominant performance, Concord has officially arrived on the turf mile scene, and his connections now have every reason to dream big. The Gran Premio de las Américas – OSAF (G1) on May 1 at Palermo looms as a tantalizing target, potentially setting up a clash with dirt star El Exito (Il Campione). If both colts show up, racing fans could be in for an unforgettable showdown on one of the most anticipated afternoons of the year.
