Safety Honour Delivers a Dominant Performance to Secure a Double in the Handicap Good Time

The Stud-Haras Tradición runner scored a commanding four-length victory over Sebi Torres, notching the eighth win of his career

Safety Honour's finishing kick was truly impressive / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

“He was training spectacularly. When he had his final breeze, we were all amazed at how sharp he was,” said Gustavo Scarpello, trainer of the ever-reliable Safety Honour, who on Wednesday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo delivered a commanding performance to win the Handicap Good Time for the second consecutive year, conquering the mile on dirt.

The Stud-Haras Tradición runner has always shown class, but Scarpello’s words help explain just how dominant he was, overcoming high-caliber rivals while shouldering a hefty 59 1/2 kilos—all as he approaches his seven-year-old season.

From the break, Safety Honour looked in control of his own fate. Sebi Torres (Orpen, 54 kg) set the early pace, with Chanclette (Super Saver, 56 1/2 kg) pressing him closely.

Turning for home, the leader tried to kick away, but Adrián Giannetti found daylight with Safety Honour, asked him to quicken, and the race was over in a matter of strides. The Safety Check son pulled away effortlessly at the 300-meter mark, hitting the wire four lengths ahead of Sebi Torres, who bravely held second by a length over outsider Valle Barun (Vástago Salvaje, 50 1/2 kg). The final time of 1:33.86 only added to the merit of the victory.

"I'm thrilled for the entire team and for this horse. I've ridden him so many times, and we’ve won quite a few together," said Giannetti in his post-race interview on Argentine TV. "We cut him back from 1800 meters to a mile, thinking they might rush him early, but he was always comfortable. When I asked, he responded with ease—it was a great win. He’s a battle-tested warrior who always fights in these races, and most importantly, he’s incredibly sound. This was a tough handicap, and he was coming off a subpar effort on a bad track, but here at Palermo, he feels right at home."

Out of Causa de Honor (Honour and Glory), Safety Honour now boasts eight career wins—including four in handicaps— from 31 starts.