Approval Cat was dominant in the Handicap Domingo Pascual

The Endorsement colt scored with complete authority, taking command as the field straightened for home. It was the most impressive victory of his career, ending a streak of three runner-up finishes at the stakes level

Approval Cat reached the wire with no threats in sight… / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

What a trainer Domingo Pascual was. From Harvard’s Bay (Halpern Bay) and I’m Glad (Liloy) to Punk and Cheerful(both by Ringaro), and, of course, his masterpiece, the unforgettable Fain (Dancing Moss), the man knew exactly what he was doing—and proved it throughout a brilliant career. When it came to distance racing, few could match his touch.

“Cacho,” as he was affectionately known, received his traditional annual tribute on Thursday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, where several of his close friends and family—led by his daughter María V. and Jorge Valdivieso—took part in the trophy presentation for the connections of Approval Cat (57.5 kg), the horse who crushed his rivals in the Handicap Domingo Pascual, run in memory of the outstanding horseman.

After finishing second in three consecutive stakes, the son of Endorsement finally earned his first victory outside the allowance ranks, doing so with such authority that it felt like even better things may be ahead.

At four, the chestnut from Stud Pacífica never let the topweight and heavy favorite Emmspacial Boy (Emmanuel) out of his sight, before unleashing his winning move in the stretch. Once they straightened, Approval Cat was traveling powerfully alongside his rival, and it was only a matter of time before he took over.

And that he did—gradually asserting control before drawing clear, finishing strongly to the wire to score by four lengthsover El Gazpacho (Bodemeister, 56), with Talento Emergente (Hurricane Cat, 54) another head back in third, stopping the clock in an excellent 1:22.49.

There was little to see from the main betting choices. Emmspacial Boy weakened badly along the rail to finish sixth, nearly 20 lengths behind, while Ever Beach (Treasure Beach, 55.5) was fifth, 11½ lengths adrift—both clearly off their game.

Trained by Gerardo Alteño, bred by Haras Chenaut and Eduardo Vargas Lerena, and out of Suertuda Cat (Easing Along), Approval Cat’s performance was nothing short of emphatic.Utterly emphatic.