San Isidro Set for an Exciting Saturday Doubleheader of Stakes Action

La Meninha Headlines the Five-Furlong Clásico Ocurrencia (G3); El Gazpacho Eyes Victory in Clásico Mesa del Senado (L)

La Meninha Returns to Turf Seeking Another Stakes Score / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The spotlight shifts to Hipódromo de San Isidro this Saturday with a robust 16-race program, highlighted by a compelling pair of turf stakes. Headlining the afternoon is the Clásico Ocurrencia (G3, 1000m, turf), a sprint showdown for fillies and mares, while the earlier Clásico Mesa del Senado (L, 1400m, turf) makes its debut with a wide-open field and plenty of early speed on paper.

Eight distaffers aged three and up will go to post for the Clásico Ocurrencia, where La Meninha returns to the grass in search of another black-type success. The daughter of Le Blues comes off an emphatic performance in the Clásico Miss Terrible, where she coasted home by two lengths over Durmia (Cityscape) and Forty Vise (Fortify), both of whom reappear here as key challengers.

But the path to victory won’t be a cakewalk. Vida Real (Qué Vida Buena), a hard-hitting mare from Córdoba, could pose a serious threat, while Rosario-based Realizada Cat (Hurricane Cat) looks poised to improve after finishing second to Lagoa Azul (Lenovo) in Palermo’s Clásico General Arenales (G3). Add to the mix the gritty Barbacoa Key (Key Deputy), the resurgent Enjoy Dancing (Hi Happy), and Gurisa Mask (Mask), runner-up to Truly Princess (Daddy Long Legs) in the southern Bullrich (G3), and the Ocurrencia shapes up as one of the day’s most competitive contests.

Earlier in the day, the inaugural Clásico Mesa del Senado offers an intriguing test over seven furlongs, with a pace scenario that could prove decisive. Speedsters like Garufa Mask (Mask, 57.5 kg), Emmspacial Boy (Emmanuel, 61), Yak Sport (Glory Seattle, 56), and Midnight Runner (Forge, 55) all figure to battle early, which may set the table for closers.

That suits the likes of El Gazpacho (Bodemeister, 56.5), who continues to move forward in his development, and Don Rocky (Equal Stripes, 59.5), who should appreciate a swift early tempo. Both represent the group of runners poised to strike late, along with Don Ritual (Daddy Long Legs, 57.5), another San Benito colorbearer capable of spicing things up at a price.

With stakes action bookending the day, Saturday at San Isidro promises excitement from start to finish.