The celebrated five days after the 90th anniversary of its inauguration San Isidro Racecourse proposes for this Saturday the race that has the longest history on Argentine turf, the Carlos Pellegrini Grand Prix. From Group 1, the highest international level, their 2400 meters on the route grass They represent the grand finale of the season, although some champions may have fallen by the wayside in their goal of reaching the summit. And there will be some 7.30 p.mseventeen candidates for a victory with monetary added value: The winning horse will be the first horse in the world to secure a cat flap in the Breeders’ Cup by 2026the annual American festival, which will be held in the format of the Olympic Games in Keeneland at the end of October.
There will be illustrious visitors in the cat flaps. On his farewell tour through South America Frankie Dettori will drive Pulqueand if he won, he would hit the ground running. The legendary Italian, who had announced his retirement two years ago, now postponed it, now he was convinced and chose this region to give himself the pleasure of feeling the passion of the audience again. He remained winless in Palermo in 2008. He will have five mounts a day, as he did 17 years ago, but on his first visit to San Isidro. At 54, he attempts another feat: he adds pages to his book or updates the poster image.
Then, will go to Uruguay for January 6th, when the Jose Pedro Ramirez (G1-2400m) in Maroñas and will take place in Gàvea, the racecourse of Rio de Janeirothe first weekend in February. Since arriving in Argentina, he has been seen working under a flood, describing his experiences at the apprentice school and sharing a conversation and photos with Adolfo Cambiaso after the polo player completed the Triple Crown for La Natividad-La Dolfina in Palermo.
Another global star Joao Moreirais stacked on the candidate Obatayein the same Brazilian company that won the last Latin American competition in Rio de Janeiro in October. It will be the third time the rider has traveled from his home country to compete in Argentina, having left his mark in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and the United Arab Emirates between visits in 2007 and 2024. When he returned home last year, at 42, he dreams of adding another major event to his record.
The local stars will also be there. One could say that this time the reins are outshining the horses, without there being a solid figure among the long-distance runners. Of the few that were already running when Dettori and Moreira were there, they show up Juan Carlos Noriega, Gustavo Calvente And Adrian Giannetti. The first of them has already won the Pellegrini three times and will be taking part Vote wellwho will try to emulate his father Hi Happy, who won this competition 10 years ago. Calvente takes over the chairmanship Final accentwhich comes from beating its predecessor in the Gold Cup by just half a margin, when it finished close behind them in third place, Time to thinkalso confirmed here. And Giannetti will be the leader Out of the blueof Brazilian origin, but exclusively campaigned in San Isidro.
The GP Gold Cup
They’re back William Pereyrawho interrupted his experience in Dubai to rediscover his routine here and will be going along for the first time Vunduwho wasn’t feeling well on his trip to Rio, and Francisco Leandro Goncalveswho has an ongoing contract in the Middle East and is taking a short break to win his first Pellegrini, with Havana cigar. This foal is the last winner of the Paulista Derbythe classic won by Gorylla, Xin Xu Lin and Não Da Mais before becoming three of the last four Brazilians to win the most important event in South America.
The Paulista Derby
Those who know how to win it will start in the first three gates: Juan Cruz VillagraDebutant on the back Crazy talentwhat was already close in 2024; Martin Valleywho has done it in three of the last four seasons and is taking charge Royal borderthe Firmamento colt who won the Jockey Club (G1-2000m), and Eduardo Ortega Pavonconfident The gladiator’s hatthe hero of Dardo Rocha last month, also with fashionable colors at Pellegrini, those of the Haras El Ángel de Venecia stud.
There are three more great prizes to be won on the day. The first of them will be Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1-1000m), with the presence of Carvedthe best sprinter since 2022 and one of the few horses that have calling power today. At 4:20 p.m. he will make his fourth attempt in the classic against 23 competitors, jumping from his starting point in 2022 and finishing third in 2023 and 2024. After overcoming an incipient colic in Palermo last month that did not allow him to run, Venado Tuerto will take to the track with 71 days rest for his final triumphant start.
In addition, 17 copies will also be in the at 4:55 p.m Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1-1600m), below What a man And God of the earthwho won the last two strong classics in the category, and at 6:05 p.m. The Silver cup (G1-2000m), exclusively for mares and mares charm as a reference in front of a group in which older people are the majority and another Brazilian visit appears, Q’Luz do Iguassu.
The event starts at 12:15 p.m. with 18 competitions.
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