Approval Cat catches Zaatar napping to regain top form at Palermo
Guided by William Pereyra, the Stud Pacífica runner sprang a surprise in the Handicap Mangangá, making a decisive move off the home turn and holding off the favorite's late charge by a length
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Special for Turf Diario).— Timing an attack can make or break a race. In Monday's feature at Hipódromo Palermo, the Handicap Mangangá, Approval Cat (54 1/2 kg.) found the ideal opening to return to victory lane. Tracking closely from the break, he seized control around the final turn, kicked clear early, and built a sufficient cushion to withstand the late surge of favorite Zaatar (Hurricane Cat, 58 kg.), who closed rapidly but ran out of track.
Contested over 1,400 meters on a fast dirt surface that proved somewhat demanding, the Stud Pacífica colorbearer rediscovered the form that had eluded him in recent outings. Ridden by William Pereyra and saddled by Martín Martínez (for Gerardo Alteño), he secured his fifth victory from 26 career starts, snapping a winless drought dating back to October.
His previous success had come in the Handicap Domingo Elías Pascual. Since then, his form had been inconsistent, failing to sustain the quality shown on Monday. Notably against the favorite, he had finished seventh behind Zaatarjust a month prior in the Handicap Potrillazo under identical conditions. This time, the race shape and his sharp response completely flipped the script.
Pereyra kept him actively involved from the outset, preventing the race from getting away from him. Approval Cattraveled within striking distance of the leaders, and as the field swept toward the home stretch, he was primed to strike. Taking charge before straightening for home, his rider seized the momentum and called on him early, forcing his rivals to chase.
The maneuver proved decisive. While the winner consolidated his lead, Zaatar was left with too much ground to make up. The favorite had settled well back after a sluggish start, and while his late rally was impressive, it failed to erase the head start he had conceded. Approval Cat had made the winning move at precisely the right moment and found enough in reserve to hold on to the wire.
A length separated the top two, while the secondary placings were decided in a tight finish: a neck, a neck, and a half-length separated Maskboy (Mask, 54 kg.), El Gran Star (Grand Reward, 55 kg.), and Ylucion Cause (True Cause, 54 1/2 kg.), respectively. The clock stopped at 1m25s40, a time that reflected the grueling nature of the track.
For Zaatar, the runner-up effort left the impression that his late charge needed to begin earlier or meet a leader closer in range. For Approval Cat, however, it marked a complete resurgence: returning to the winner's circle, putting a discouraging effort against the same foe behind him, and proving he remains a force at this level.
The Mangangá rewarded his tenacity as well as Pereyra's decisive tactics. By the time the favorite rallied into contention, the Pacífica runner had already established the lead that delivered a long-awaited victory.
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