Ana de Armas, the choice in a Handicap Cipayo rich in history

The daughter of Angiolo comes off a runner-up finish behind undefeated Wanda and will look to capitalize on her credentials against Full Odalis, Liga de Honor, and Eneta in the feature race of the 11-race card scheduled for this Wednesday at San Isidro

With a modest 11-race card scheduled, the Hipódromo de San Isidro will feature the Handicap Cipayo as its primary attraction this Wednesday. The 1200-meter contest on the dirt track, reserved for fillies and mares 5 years old and up, sees Ana de Armas (Angiolo) emerge as the main choice.

The race honors one of the standout horses of the 1970s in Argentina. Cipayo captured the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos, Gran Premio Montevideo, and Gran Premio Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier, shining as part of an extraordinary generation that also featured Farnesio (Good Manners), winner of that season's Gran Premio Jockey Club. Later, at stud, he developed into a formidable sire and a broodmare sire of immense influence, with Fitzcarraldo among his most distinguished sons—himself later a brilliant sire at Haras Firmamento.

Fittingly, the name Fitzcarraldo appears in the recent form lines of Ana de Armas, who finished second to Vieja Amiga Mask (Mask) in the handicap held in his memory, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Full Odalis(Full Mast, 56 1/2), one of the rivals she faces once again.

The choice will carry 57 kilos, co-topweight in the field, and comes in off a very strong performance in the Especial Resuello just 13 days ago, when she finished a length and a half behind undefeated Wanda (Fragotero). That display confirmed her excellent current form and places her in a privileged position for this new test.

Full Odalis, meanwhile, will seek revenge for that defeat in the Fitzcarraldo. She subsequently finished fourth, 5 1/2 lengths behind Creencia Espiritual (Strategos) in the Clásico Etoile (L), an effort that also keeps her in the picture with solid expectations.

Another contender crossing paths again with Ana de Armas is Liga de Honor (Legión de Honor, 54 1/2), who finished fourth in the aforementioned Especial Resuello, beaten by a neck and a neck for the placings just ahead of her. That tight margin suggests that with a favorable trip, she is fully capable of reversing the order of finish.

Attention should also be paid to Eneta (Fortify, 57), who shares the 57-kilo high weight and possesses the credentials to significantly improve on her last outing. Just 9 days ago, she finished fifth in the Handicap Star and Stripes at Palermo, 3 3/4 lengths behind stakes winner Guadilú (Señor Candy). Her quick turnaround and return to a shorter trip add intrigue to her presence.

The field is completed by Agua Clarísima (Interdetto, 55) and Talentosa Ine (Equal Talent, 56), both coming off allowance wins at La Plata and eager to capitalize on any opening to spring an upset.

Ana de Armas holds the strongest form lines, but the close parity among several of her opponents along with the weight she must concede point to a race far more open than a quick look might suggest.