Aki finds the split and punches his ticket to the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini

he gray colt overcame a trouble-plagued trip to score a 4-length victory in the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires (G3) over 2400 meters at San Isidro. Juan Pablo Paoloni exercised patience and found the opening just in time

A small field of just five runners rarely promises high drama, but the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires (G3)—the final local prep for sophomores targeting the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1)—delivered a trip packed with intrigue. The 2400-meter test featured early lead changes, a lost stirrup, a tight pocket along the stretch, and ultimately,a commanding display of authority from Aki, who overcame every obstacle to win in convincing fashion.

Licitador (Forge) was the first to break for the lead, though his advantage was short-lived as Otis Blue (Uncle Chuck), sent off as the favorite following an effortless debut win over the mile, quickly pressed past to dictate terms.Aki tracked behind the pace, held in reserve by jockey Juan Pablo Paoloni—a stark tactical departure from his previous outing, where he set the early tempo in the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) before fading to fifth behind Stay Tune (Fortify).

The journey, however, was far from smooth. Near the 1800-meter mark, Paoloni lost his left stirrup iron and was forced to navigate nearly 300 meters unseated before regaining proper leverage. The gray colt representing Stud La Rocinharemained composed throughout the mishap, showing remarkable tractability over a demanding trip that required cool heads from both horse and rider.

Upon turning into the home straight, Otis Blue began to tire. Longshot Héroe con Gloria (Marconi) launched a sweeping run on the outside to take command, while Aki found himself boxed in tight against the inside rails with nowhere to run. Paoloni had to tap the brakes, pull off the fence, and engineer a path clear of traffic before asking his mount for a final effort.

Once clear, the response was electric. Approaching the 400-meter pole, Aki unleashed a powerful turn of foot, closing ground effortlessly to hit the front at the 120-meter mark. What originally loomed as a fraught trip transformed into an emphatic victory, with Aki crossing the wire 4 lengths clear of Héroe con Gloria. Río Claro (Imperador) finished third another 1 1/2 lengths back, with Licitador fourth and a faded Otis Blue tailing off the field. The winning time was clocked at a sharp 2:25.48 for the 2400 meters on good turf.

Trainer Pablo Sahagián has long held high regard for the son of Cima de Triomphe, and the step up to 12 furlongs thoroughly vindicated his confidence. Aki secured his second victory from six career starts—his first at the stakes level—while establishing stamina as his defining asset.

Bred by Haras La Leyenda de Areco, the winner is out of Access Code (Twirling Candy), making him a half-brother to Anish (Tonalist), runner-up in the Clásico Perú (G2). His extended maternal line traces to Secret Status (A.P. Indy), heroine of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Mother Goose Stakes (G1), underlining the deep Class of his American pedigree.

With the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) scheduled for December 12, Aki has earned a prominent spot among the 3-year-olds to watch. Having overcome a lost stirrup and a trip-ending wall of horses to win running away, he promises to be an even more dangerous prospect given a clean run. The final prep provided one clear takeaway: beyond stamina, Aki possesses raw fight.