República Argentina and Criadores Begin to Build Anticipation

A total of 16 horses have been entered for Palermo’s most prestigious race of the year, while 12 fillies and mares will line up in pursuit of a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) during the track’s May 1 celebration

Crazy Talent Takes Center Stage in Gran Premio de Honor Victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The stage is set for a spectacular May 1 celebration at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, as entries for the six Group 1 events of the day were taken Monday, laying the groundwork for one of the most anticipated racing cards on the South American calendar—an absolute must for any true turf enthusiast.

As always, the centerpiece will be the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina (2000 meters, dirt), the most prestigious race of the year for older horses at Palermo. But the supporting cast is equally compelling.

Fillies and mares will contest the G1 Gran Premio Criadores (2000 meters, dirt), a "Win and You’re In" event for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), to be held later this year at Del Mar in California. The Criadores is part of the global Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, further raising its international stakes.

Meanwhile, the G1 Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (1000 meters, dirt) and the G1 Gran Premio de las Américas – OSAF (1600 meters, dirt) will showcase Argentina’s top sprinters and milers. The juvenile spotlight will fall on the G1 Gran Premio Montevideo and G1 Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha—both run over 1500 meters—where colts and fillies, respectively, will vie for division supremacy at Avenida del Libertador and Dorrego.

In the República Argentina, Crazy Talent (Equal Talent) returns looking to go two spots better than in 2024, when he finished third behind El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) and Mezzopiano (Daddy Long Legs). He comes in riding high after a stylish score in the G1 Gran Premio de Honor.

Among those aiming to turn the tables on the Stud Aladino runner are Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja), Treasure Island (Treasure Beach), Endor Rye (Endorsement), Jardín Secreto (Endorsement), and Operístico (Daddy Long Legs), all of whom finished behind him in that recent G1 clash.

The 16-horse provisional field also includes:Atomic Trigger (Cosmic Trigger),Davalos (Hi Happy),Forest Gump (Hurricane Cat),Long Kick (Long Island Sound),Look Portal (Portal del Alto),Mannarino (Cosmic Trigger),Oleguer (Equal Stripes),Ronda de Ases (Forge),Ruso Real (In the Dark),Springbreak (Smart Holiday), andSueño Argentino (Equal Stripes).

The Gran Premio Criadores is shaping up with 12 entries, headed by Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja), who comes off a strong turf victory in the 2200-meter G1 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena.

Her potential challengers include Martana (Fortify), heroine of the G2 Clásico Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich, and Poker Mommy (Daddy Long Legs), a former G2 Francisco J. Beazley winner as a juvenile who recently returned to winning form in a conditions race and the Handicap Elías Antúnez.

Also among the nominations are Presencial (Suggestive Boy) and Operata (Hi Happy), who were second and fourth, respectively, in the Lerena; G1 winner Lágrimas y Sonrisas (Le Blues); classic-placed Romana Craf(Mastercraftsman); and a group of up-and-comers in Sarawak Rim (Remote), Orpen Rimout (Remote), International Look (Cosmic Trigger), Herd Immunity (Forge), and Galitza (Bodemeister).

Final entries and rider declarations for all six Group 1s will be accepted through next friday, with post positions to be drawn on saturday —putting the finishing touches on what promises to be a Labor Day racing festival for the ages.