Argentine-bred Popovich waves the flag in Chile with maiden stakes triumph

The son of Daddy Long Legs, bred by Haras Abolengo, prevailed in a blanket finish over Sibarato and El Apóstol; it marked the tenth victory of his career and his fourth win of the season

VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile (Special for Turf Diario).— Amid the festivities beginning to paint every corner of Chile in red, white, and blue, there was room for a celebration with an Argentine accent. Popovich emerged victorious last Monday in the Clásico Fiestas Patrias (1200m, dirt), one of the featured events on the card at Valparaíso Sporting Club, securing the biggest win of his career.

Carrying just 51 kilos under a precise ride by Ignacio Valdivia, the son of Daddy Long Legs made the absolute most of his weight advantage over much of the field, prevailing in a high-voltage thriller that saw four horses separated by merely a length and a half.

Popovich crossed the wire 3/4 of a length ahead of Sibarato (International Star, 55), while another half-length back in third came El Apóstol (Classic Empire, 60), who was forced to give nine kilos to the winner. Just 1/4 of a length further behind, Perduto (Seeking the Dia, 50) completed the frame in a blanket finish where not an inch was given.

The Argentine stopped the clock in 1m15s45/100 over a fast track, delivering as the third choice in the wagering at odds of 6.20-1. Conversely, race favorite Giacomo Puccini (Robert Bruce, 53) failed to factor, finishing a disappointing ninth, beaten 6 3/4 lengths.

Saddled by Ximeno Urenda for Stud Los Leones, Popovich had been knocking on the door in stakes company for some time. He had finished third in August over 1300 meters before taking fifth in another 1400-meter stakes event—runs that confirmed his competitiveness while making it clear that his ideal distance lay closer to pure sprint trips.

The cutback to 1200 meters proved decisive. The handicap conditions certainly aided his cause, though sealing the deal required a gritty performance in a relentless stretch drive, holding off the late surge of Sibarato and repelling El Apóstol, both of whom pressed him to the wire.

Bred by Haras Abolengo, Popovich is by Daddy Long Legs out of Paulines, by Equal Stripes—a pedigree bearing a distinct Argentine hallmark. His record in Chile has been remarkably efficient: he has now notched ten victories from 21 starts, all of them achieved at the Sporting, where he has established himself as one of the most reliable runners in recent memory.

In 2026 alone, he had already put together a three-race win streak between June and July, all on the dirt at Viña del Mar. He first took an 1100-meter handicap by 1 1/4 lengths, duplicated that effort over the same distance by 2 1/4 lengths, and returned to score again while carrying 59 kilos. Following two close calls in stakes company, he has now captured the signature victory that had eluded him.

The win also carried special significance for Ignacio Valdivia, his regular partner throughout much of the campaign, as well as for Ximeno Urenda, who has kept the horse in peak condition and placed him impeccably. The trainer also sent out Bismark (Equal Stripes), the other Argentine-bred in the Los Leones colors, who shouldered 61 kilos to finish seventh.