Antiguo Secreto wants to keep climbing the sprinting ranks

The son of Angiolo comes off a narrow defeat in the Clásico Lavalle (G3) and now heads into the Guillermo Paats (L)as the horse to beat

Baby Pass is one of the leading names in the Paats. / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Within what promises to be an entertaining Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, the stakes doubleheader will kick off with the Guillermo Paats (L-1000 m, dirt), a key race to keep shaping the rankings among the younger sprinters.

Just over a week after the running of the Clásico Estrellas Junior Sprint (G3), seven horses will line up here, in a field that blends experience with names stepping up to stakes company for the first time.

Gastón Sessa and Andrea Marinhas are hopeful that Antiguo Secreto continues his rise in what will be his ninth start. The son of Angiolo turned in a huge effort last out in the Clásico General Lavalle (G3) under identical conditions, finishing a narrow second by a nose to La Bella Otero (Daddy Long Legs).

The Stud Chichín representative—whose colors shone on Friday at San Isidro with Save Your Tears (Full Mast)—will face the seasoned Baby Pass (Distinctiv Passion), who aims to bounce back from a disappointing fifth in the Clásico Velocidad (G3) over the San Isidro turf. Previously, on this track, the El Alfalfar homebred had finished second by just a head to stablemate Sarzana Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the Clásico Carlos Pezoa, a strong performance.

Another contender for victory is El Fortín (Il Campione), who after finishing fourth in the General Lavalle, dropped back into allowance company and defeated Verdadera Pass (Distinctiv Passion) by 1 1/2 lengths to secure his second win.

Arriving unbeaten in two starts from La Plata is Let Me Dance (Le Blues), representing the same team that celebrated on Saturday with Forti Leaf (Fortify) in the Güiraldes: jockey Juan Cruz Rivarola, trainer Gustavo Fabbián, and Stud El Rey S.A.O.

A notch below appear Elekto (Santillano), Emm Yugo (Emmanuel), and Estrella Guía (Il Campione), with slightly lighter credentials than the main contenders, but sharing the same ambition of shining in such an important race.