Youthful Honest Boy Faces Seasoned Epityrum in Generational Clash

The Clásico Porteño (G3) goes off at San Isidro, with its 2400 meters serving as the final major prep for the G1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo

Epityrum Strikes in the 2000 Guineas at San Isidro / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

With the G1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo just around the corner, the stage is set for a blockbuster Saturday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, where the final major prep for Argentina’s patriotic centerpiece takes place. While Grezzo (Hi Happy) and Peruvian raider Don Feres (Singe the Turf) await the main event, a field of 11 stayers will line up over the turf in the G3 Clásico Porteño, all looking to punch their ticket to the big dance.

Kicking off a graded lineup that also includes the G2 Paseana for fillies and mares later in the day, the Porteño has drawn a diverse mix of proven names and rising stars. Chief among the latter is Honest Boy (Heliostatic), a 4-year-old still chasing his first stakes win but boasting back-to-back runner-up efforts at the top level—first behind Acento Final(Treasure Beach) in the 2024 G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club, and more recently just a neck short of Grezzo in the G1 Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz.

Standing in his way is the battle-tested Epityrum (Portal del Alto), an established name among the country’s distance specialists. Fresh off a sharp score in Palermo’s Listed Clásico Expressive Halo, the veteran is no stranger to soft turf—a condition likely to be a factor again this afternoon.

Mister Coquette (Bodemeister) steps into deeper waters after capturing the Listed Clásico Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo, and will need to elevate his game to match strides with this tougher group.

El Cid Campeador (Il Campione) has long been held in high regard by trainer Pablo Falero, and may finally be ready for a breakout. He showed renewed life when second, beaten three lengths by Epityrum in the Expressive Halo, and could be a player if he continues in that upward trend.

Knows All (Le Blues) adds intrigue for trainer Diego Peña. The filly has never gone the full 2400 meters, but did finish second to Luz Delito (Lizard Island) over 2200m in the 2024 G2 Clásico Partícula, suggesting she may have the stamina for this.

Also in the mix is Out of the Blue (Brz, Drosselmeyer), a stakes winner in the Clásico Tresiete (L), but still looking to bounce back to that level after a string of less convincing recent outings.