Bronx and Don Latido set for another showdown in the traditional turf mile, but Particulado looms large
The contrast between Friday’s racing at San Isidro and the high-quality card scheduled for Saturday could not be greater. Moving from alternative events to a day filled with two-year-olds, promising condition races, and two prestigious Group 2 mile events on turf—the Clásico América and the Clásico Ricardo, Ezequiel y Ezequiel M. Fernández Guerrico—the meeting promises a level of excellence worthy of attention.
This will be a day to savor from start to finish, enhanced by solid betting pools and notable increments, ensuring a strong handle by day's end.
A cornerstone event for the mile division at San Isidro, the Clásico América has produced notable winners, including Intense for Me (Fortify), who later shone in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1). This year’s renewal sees 11 contenders fighting for the trophy, prestige, and a winner’s purse of 10,350,000 pesos, with the much-anticipated rematch between Bronx (Qué Vida Buena) and Don Latido (John F Kennedy) taking center stage. Last time out, they finished just a nose apart in the Clásico Horacio Bustillo (G2), and this battle is expected to be just as close, with race tactics likely to play a key role.
Yet, the race is far from a two-horse contest. Particulado (Mask), absent from the Bustillo due to bureaucratic hurdles following a minor positive test after his third-place effort in the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1), is a major threat. Having launched into that Group 1 straight from two consecutive victories, he nearly stole the show, finishing a close third. If he can reproduce that performance, he might just catch his rivals off guard.
Among other serious contenders, Monsieur Delon (Il Campione), who won the Clásico Buenos Aires (G3) at Palermo, and Concord (Remote), stepping up after a dominant local mile victory, add further intrigue to the race.
Folie Ninja (Hat Ninja), co-winner of the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1) in 2024 along Bronx, will be looking to bounce back, while Estero de Iberá (Il Campione), third in the Bustillo, seeks revenge. What a Man (Mastercraftsman), returning after a three-month layoff, is expected to be a serious contender, having finished second in the Gran Premio San Isidro (G1) before a disappointing Anchorena effort.
Other names to watch include Bitter Orange (Treasure Beach), who has won four of his last five, but faces a class and distance test, and Santo Varón (Sebi Halo) and The Goat (Fortify), rounding out a highly competitive field.
With so much talent set to clash, the Clásico América promises to be an unmissable showdown, capping off an outstanding day of racing at San Isidro.
