Argentine G1 winner Ceniza Pampa makes U.S. debut today at Keeneland

Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena winner Ceniza Pampa, owned by Rodolfo Bor, set for the fifth race

LEXINGTON, KY (Special to Turf Diario)— Beyond the highly anticipated return of Notable Speech (Dubawi) in the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1), Friday’s card at Keeneland offers an extra point of interest for South American racing fans.

The fifth race of the day, a $130,000 allowance over 1,700 meters (1 1/16 miles) on the turf, features the U.S. debut of Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja), winner of the 2025 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (G1). Now conditioned by Horacio De Paz for Rodolfo Bor’s Pedro Simón LLC, the bay mare faces a stiff challenge but will have the services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Listed at 20-1 on the morning line, Ceniza Pampa has not competed since September 6, when she finished fifth against males in the Gran Premio San Martín (G1). Her Argentine resume also includes a victory in the Clásico Ignacio e Ignacio F. Correas (G2) on the dirt.

The favorite in the full field is Bracelet (Authentic), trained by Brad Cox, coming off a third-place finish in a similar spot at Fair Grounds. Other leading contenders include In the Stars (Into Mischief), returning from a layoff, and the Irish-bred Onemoredance (King of Change). Should the race be moved to the main track, the distance will remain at 1,700 meters.