Look Portal Gets a Golden Opportunity to Stay on Winning Path

The Portal del Alto colt looms large in the 2500-meter Handicap Arturo A., where Demostrame makes his return to the races

Look Portal heads into the Handicap Arturo A. riding a two-race winning streak / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Another Monday of racing action awaits at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, with a 14-race card that leans toward the lower end of the scale, headlined by the 2500-meter Handicap Arturo A. for 4-year-olds and up.

A modest field of six will line up, with Look Portal standing out as the clear class of the race. The son of Portal del Altowill shoulder top weight of 60 kilos as he continues an upward trajectory, aiming to graduate into the top tier of the division.

Coming off back-to-back wins, Look Portal first captured the Clásico Uruguay at La Plata, defeating G1 winner Lágrimas y Sonrisas (Le Blues) by two lengths. He then switched to the San Isidro dirt to take the Clásico Calidoscopio(L), getting the better of Flavie (Seahenge) by 1 1/2 lengths.

Trained by Nicolás Martín Ferro and with Kevin Banegas set to retain the mount, the Haras Cachagua homebred will square off against Demostrame (Endorsement), the defending titleholder, who returns to action after a 241-day layoff and must carry a demanding 58 kilos.

Also a winner of the Handicap Atlas, Demostrame struggled when asked to step up in class, finishing unplaced in both the Clásico General Belgrano (G2), behind El Kodigo (Equal Stripes), and the marathon Clásico General Pueyrredón(G3). He’ll have Francisco Leandro in the irons, hoping for a late run down the outside.

Breaking from the rail is Valle Barún (Vástago Salvaje, 50.5 kilos), who will race without a rider’s whip and is stretching out farther than ever. He arrives off a pair of third-place finishes in the Handicap Martinet and Handicap Good Time, and his pedigree suggests the added distance could suit.

Ettore (Il Campione, 53) was seventh last time in the G3 Gran Premio Vicente Dupuy at La Punta, but has shown flashes of ability that could put him in the mix here. Rounding out the field are Sahuri (Greenspring, 53.5) and Haddok(Interaction, 52.5), both needing improvement to contend.