Aiyanna returns to San Isidro in search of her first stakes victory

The talented daughter of Santillano carries top weight and is among the leading contenders in the Etoile (L), where she seeks revenge on Mi Negra Paula

Aiyanna scored on the San Isidro dirt—will she recreate the scene today? / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

San Isidro will offer one of the weakest cards of the year this Thursday, hardly what one would expect from a venue of its caliber. The lone bright spot comes in the form of the Clásico Etoile (L, 1200m, dirt), a handicap for fillies four years old and up.

The feature sets up a rematch between Aiyanna (Santillano, 60.5) and Mi Negra Paula (Reflecting, 56), who finished first and second, separated by just a head, in the Handicap Brilliantly over 1400 meters at Palermo. Both drop back in distance here in search of continued success.

Aiyanna needs little introduction in the division. The 7-year-old has a long campaign with multiple wins and countless close calls, highlighted by remarkable consistency over 40 starts.

Able to handle any pace scenario, she meets a rising Mi Negra Paula, eager for revenge, but the latter will need to prove that her previous runner-up finish was not a one-off.

Che Solita (Zensational, 55) could spoil the party. Carrying less weight than the top two, she has raised her form of late, moving from optional claiming to stakes company with great success, finishing just half a head behind Señor Candy in the Handicap Wally over the same course.

A Look Happy (Hi Happy, 55.5) is still searching for her first breakthrough victory in open company, but has shown enough to suggest that with the right trip she could deliver. She finished fifth in the aforementioned Handicap Brilliantly, and earlier ran third in the Handicap Academia Nacional de Agronomía y Veterinaria.

Group-winning filly Cold Mind (Lucullan, 54) is working to return to form. She has flashed ability recently, though consistency has been lacking, making her a contender for a surprise showing.

The remainder of the field—Joy Antumalal (Il Campione, 53.5), Moon Scenery (Puerto Escondido, 54.5) and Fontanela (Lucullan, 51)—adds further intrigue in what shapes up to be a tightly contested renewal.