The son of Endorsement faces four tough challengers on the main card of a day featuring a mere 11 modest races
Only 77 horses are entered to run this Wednesday at San Isidro, with a card set entirely on a dirt track that’s likely to be heavy following the expected, substantial rains that fell through the early morning and are anticipated to continue into the early afternoon. The slim field of 11 races can be explained by delays in prize payments at the Jockey Club Argentino—which at one point exceeded three months—a situation that is thankfully being resolved, as entries returned to normal this week. The silver lining is that the northern meet maintained its schedule, organizing races with fewer competitors than the usual minimum (typically between six and seven).
The marquee event is the Whipper In Handicap, run over 1,400 meters, where Hop On has a fine opportunity to showcase the improvements he’s been making over recent months. The son of Endorsement from Stud Quilmes—donning the iconic colors of the much-revered Infiltrada (Footstepsinthesand)—will carry 56 1/2 kilos. He recently put on a sensational performance in the Advocate Handicap at Palermo, finishing a mere half lenght behind the ever-competitive Forty Fain (Fortify) and ahead of quality horses like El Despertar (Il Campione) and Preston Boss (Holy Boss).
But the task won’t be easy, as his four rivals all come with impressive credentials. For example, Dom Mario (Midshipman, 59) comes off consecutive wins in the Propicio and Condal handicaps—races akin to the Whipper In—in which, in the latter, he edged out El Gazpacho (Bodemeister, 55 1/2) by a head. El Gazpacho will again be in the mix, though with a larger weight differential this time.
Setting the pace in terms of weight is Río Felipin (Grand Reward), who recently crossed the finish line third in the Clásico Invasor (G3), losing by only a half head and a nose to the prolific Don Latido (John F Kennedy) and El Exito (Il Campione).
Rounding out the field is the spirited Don Rocky (Equal Stripes, 56), whom fans at San Benito are eager to see extend his winning streak following his success in the Haras El Paraiso Especial at La Plata.
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