Malvinas Argentinas a Breeze for Che Banquero

The Stud El Barrial runner drew off to an 11-length romp over Tambaqui over the southern track’s heavy going

No one wanted to miss Che Banquero's first stakes-winning snapshot / HLP

LA PLATA, Argentina—The featured Clásico Malvinas Argentinas (2100m, heavy) on Friday at La Plata proved little more than a public workout for Che Banquero, who made the most of the opportunity to add a touch of class to his already consistent campaign.

A distant third behind Rumor de Fuego (Daddy Long Legs) in the Clásico Comparación (L) in his previous outing, the son of Greenspring, bred by Patricio Losinno, had no trouble dispatching the six rivals that dared to line up against him, positioning himself firmly on the path toward the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha.

With Lautaro Balmaceda in the irons, the favorite never let leader Edification (Il Campione) get too far away, despite that rival opening up a sizeable advantage over the testing going. Che Banquero ranged up with ease around the final turn, struck the front without being asked, and turned the stretch run into a one-horse show.

Making his seasonal debut, Tambaqui (True Cause) attempted to mount a challenge, but it was never a serious threat. Che Banquero simply kicked clear and widened with every stride, eventually crossing the wire 11 lengths in front, with Don Galeón (Il Campione) another seven back in third. The final time was 2:14.81.

Trained by Fabio Mentucci for Stud El Barrial, the grandson of Broken Vow took a clear step forward against a modest group, crushing them with authority.