Anitta Fric Breaks Maiden in Style, Gives Leofric His First Winner in Argentina

A daughter of the G1 winner Animas, scores over 1000 metros at Palermo's straight

Anitta Fric comes strong in the final stages to secure maiden victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

In an exciting day at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo last Saturday, the two-year-old fillies took center stage in the Premio Hail to Reason, a 1,000-meter race for maidens. There, Anitta Fric became the first winner in Argentina for the stallion Leofric, who now joins the ranks of other promising freshman sires like Strategos (Zensational), Gidu(Frankel), The Great Day (Harlan's Holiday), Gouverneur Morris (Constitution), Roman Joy (Fortify), and Springdom (Sebi Halo), all of whom have already seen their first winners.

For Leofric, who is represented by a small but promising first crop of two-year-olds, this victory marks a significant milestone. Anitta Fric is part of his first crop, with Luces Rojas finishing second in her debut and poised to break her maiden soon.

The filly, bred and raised at Haras Pozo de Luna, debuted last December at 800 meters, finishing third, 3 lengths behind Sarzana Pass (Distinctiv Passion), a multiple stakes winner and a strong competitor in the juvenile speed division.

With a careful pause to mature, Anitta Fric showed improvement and surged strongly from mid-pack to overtake the early leader, Castaña Pass (Distinctiv Passion), in the final stages, winning by 1 length in a time of 56.36 seconds. Osvaldo Alderete rode the filly, who appears to prefer shorter distances, suggesting future opportunities at longer distances as she progresses.

Her dam, Animas (Easing Along), is a remembered Group 1 winner who defeated the colts in the Gran Premio Suipacha (G1) and is also the dam of Ayocote, a winner, and Antropov (Interaction), a triple stakes winner.

Leofric, a son of the great Candy Ride, had an impressive racing career in the United States, winning 8 of his 14 starts, including the Clark Handicap (G1), the Fayette Stakes (G2), and the West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3). Now standing at Haras Los Turfistas, his first Argentine crop consists of 66 foals. In the U.S., Leofric already has multiple winners, including stakes winners like Roanan Goddess, Aelfgar, Buttah, Canigetaloan, and Fidelightcayut.