Amiguita Casual and a Victory of the Impossible Kind, at La Plata

When Dolceana Seemed Headed for Victory, She Revived and Blew Past in the Especial Velocistas Potrancas

LA PLATA.– When Dolceana (Endorsement) headed the pacesetter and favorite Pasión del Alma Pass (Distinctiv Passion) and Amiguita Casual (Todo Un Amiguito) midway through the stretch, everything seemed decided in Sunday's Especial Velocistas Potrancas (1,000 m, fast dirt) at the racecourse of this city.

The chestnut lugged in and drew a couple of lengths clear, seemingly putting the race out of reach. However, with the winning post well within sight, Amiguita Casual found a second wind, began to chip away at the deficit, and ultimately caught her rival just before the wire.

Such was Dolceana's deceleration that the winner even had time to get comfortable, eventually crossing the line with a half-length advantage and stopping the clock in 1m1s81/100 to secure the second victory of her career, and her first in stakes company.

A further 1 1/2 lengths back, Les Tiró La Recta (Qué Vida Buena) completed the trifecta, with the maiden Marquise Zenda (Zensational) and Pasión del Alma Pass completing the field.

Trained by Wálter Alvarez for Stud El Riel, Amiguita Casual was guided by the ever-reliable Daniel E. Arias, who never panicked when his filly fell far behind Dolceana and played a vital role in the victory. Bred by Haras Don Nico, and a granddaughter of the formidable Southern Halo through South Lucky, Amiguita Casual was coming off several encouraging performances, including fourth-place finishes in the Clásico Saturnino J. Unzué (G2), Clásico Andrés S. Torres (G3), and Clásico Amilcar Mercader (L).