The 4 horses that escaped the blows finished in the top positions of the Easing Along Handicap
It was no coincidence that the four horses that ended up defining the Easing Along Handicap (1000 m, dirt), the main event of Friday's at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, were not involved -whether by chance or by luck- in the festival of bumper cars that could be seen at the start, where Flamenca Island (Lizard Island, 51) struck after starting violently towards the inside part of the track.
Running on the far side, Gonna Fly Now (57 1/2 kg) took the lead quickly, kept at bay the challenges posed by El Santo Remedio (Il Campione, 56 1/2) and Alfie Solomons (Safety Check, 58) and had the necessary energy to contain Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero, 58 1/2), finally second from just half a length.
In the end, coming from behind, Cerrito Piñon (Manipulator, 56) closed the trifecta almost by miracle, because in the start was not part of the blows for starting badly, being behind the rivals who were mixed in the incident. Alfie Solomons, tiring a bit on top, was fourth at another 3 lenghts, all in a time of 55s49/100.
In view of the above, the performances of Gran Compañero (South Kissing, 58 1/2), Crispado Key (Key Deputy, 56 1/2) and Quibbler (Daniel Boone, 60) -who finished last- were unable to give their best performance.
The gelding, owned by Stud Doña Juanita and trained by Juan A. Campelli, Gonna Fly Now had an ideal partner in jockey Kevin Banegas, who graduated his energies in an ideal way.
Bred by Haras El Alfalfar and son of Key Deputy out of the generous For Me Cat (Easing Along), Gonna Fly Now is a full brother to G1W Forza Key and to the stakes winner Fortino Key. For the 5 year old, it was the sixth victory of his racing career, second in the top level, since some time ago he had won the Clásico Aristophanes, on the same straight where he shone now.
The kilos will start to get difficult for Gonna Fly Now in the handicap divisione, is it time to go up in level?
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