Kavac clashes with the experience of Safety Honour in the Handicap Martinet

The Stud Ximena representative steps up to 1800 meters after easily winning the Handicap Pure Prize at the mile

Kavac has always been regarded as a quality horse / HAPSA

With rain forecasted for the entire day—and the entire week—a busy racing program is expected this Monday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, featuring 13 races, with the Handicap Martinet as the main event.

Set over 1800 meters on dirt for horses aged 5 and up, the race has a firm favorite in the always highly regarded Kavac, who will carry the top weight of 59 1/2 kilos. The Stud Ximena representative returns after a two-month absence, following a dominant victory in the Handicap Pure Prize over a mile.

The weight and distance increase for the Cityscape colt, who faces a rival with plenty of experience in Safety Honour, tasked with carrying the top weight of 60 1/2 kilos. Safety Honour hasn’t competed since December 4, when he was narrowly defeated by El Darwin (Il Campione) in a race he couldn’t win, the Handicap Val D'Or, at San Isidro.

The Haras Tradición runner is brimming with experience and proven class, and his chances will improve if, as expected, the pace up front remains strong.

Another horse of solid potential, though often plagued by health issues, is Machacado (Galicado, 56 1/2), who will race at a lighter weight than the others. Second in this same race last year, he was sidelined for 11 months before returning to win in mid-January, coincidentally in the Premio Martinet, and then finishing third, well behind El Darwin, in the Handicap República de Francia over 2400 meters.

A horse like Standartd (Manipulator, 54) would have been a solid contender earlier in his campaign for a race like this, but given his current form, he’s been relegated. However, he’ll run at a notably lighter weight under the training of Jorge Rivollier, and he may very well make a full recovery.

In a race full of surprises, keep an eye on Berri Vell (Bodemeister, 53 1/2), who has faced higher expectations in the past, and the light-weighted Alma Vasca (Alma de Acero, 52), who comes off two consecutive victories as solid support.