On the road to the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G3), the Safety Check filly boasts a strong record at Palermo
Monday arrived, with most kids already back in school, and after a weekend featuring only minor stakes, Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo prepares for another racing card, highlighted by the Clásico Irlanda (G3). The 1000-meter sprint for 3-year-olds and up serves as a key stepping stone on the road to the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1), one of the premiers showdowns for sprinters, set for May 1, as has been tradition for many years.
Inexplicably, track officials scheduled the Irlanda as the second race of the day, at 3:00 p.m., making it almost impossible for most fans to watch it live, as the grandstands typically start filling up around 5:00 p.m. on a weekday.
Had the field consisted of just four or five runners, the decision might have been understandable. However, seeing that at 6:30 p.m.—a prime-time slot—the Premio Che Patrón Key will be run over the same 1000 meters, featuring a field of seven just like the Irlanda, any logical explanation falls apart.
The scheduling is even more frustrating given that the rest of the card lacks quality, with the Irlanda standing out as the only high-class contest amidst a landscape that has unfortunately become the norm in Argentine racing—overloaded with bad level races and aging horses well past their prime.
That being said, the sprinter division is regrouping following the retirements of Arellano (Angiolo) and Ansia Clara (Angiolo), two of the leading names in 2024. While Labrado (Le Blues) is taking a break before resuming his campaign, several contenders are stepping up in hopes of securing bigger prizes.
Among them, Vida Amorosa is looking to prove the old adage that fillies can outrun colts, especially breaking from the outside post, a position that often plays to her strengths.
The daughter of Safety Check has placed in her last two outings behind the now-absent Lagoa Azul (Lenovo), unable to match her rival’s early speed. However, Vida Amorosa is at her most dangerous when she can seize the lead, and with this post draw, that scenario seems likely.
Francisco Leandro will guide Lone Ranger (Le Blues), who delivered a front-running upset in the Clásico Jerry Honor just over three weeks ago. While his past performances lack additional standout stakes results, he will attempt to replicate that effort. Still, Vida Amorosa has been much more consistent at this level.
Breaking from the rail, A La Vista (Angiolo) is the other filly in the field and, as a 3-year-old, will carry significantly less weight than her older rivals—a factor that could work in her favor. She has already finished second to Vida Amorosa in the Clásico Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G3)—missing by just half a length—and was fifth in the General Francisco B. Bosch (G3), with Vida Amorosa again ahead of her.
Yukon Jack (Glory Seattle) is coming off a win in the Clásico Platería at La Plata over 1100 meters and returns to the straight course seeking bigger prizes, while New Jamalero (Lenovo) is back at Palermo, where he has always performed well, after finishing 10th in the G1 Unzué, though beaten just over five lengths by Arellano.
Boosted by an eye-catching victory in Rosario’s Clásico Independencia, Bingo Song (Alcindor) takes a big step up in class, while the field is rounded out by Mr. Boombastic (Lucky Island), another 3-year-old, who most recently finished third behind Contra Pronóstico (Daddy Long Legs).
