Argentinian-bred Empiric Candy Captures Clásico Francisco Etcheverry Vidal
- Turf Diario
- 1 day ago
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The son of Señor Candy topped an all-Argentine 1-3-4 finish over the turf at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Special for Turf Diario).- Another Argentine-bred became a stakes winner at Hipódromo Nacional de Maroñas. This time it was Empiric Candy’s turn, starring on Sunday as he captured the traditional Francisco Etcheverry Vidal (L) over 1200 meters on turf.
The son of Señor Candy led home a 1-2-4 Argentine finish, holding off Triple A (Essayons) by half a head, with fellow countrymen Happy Moments (Fortify) and Man of Word (Safety Check) completing the superfecta just half a length and half a head behind, underscoring the tendency for tight finishes on the inner turf.
Racing for Stud La Reina and coming off a conditional win, it was Empiric Candy’s first start on grass—and he took to it perfectly. Under the experienced handling of Carlos Méndez, the chestnut overcame serious traffic problems to lift the trophy.
In the stretch, it looked for a moment as if the win might slip away, as he was trapped behind a wall of rivals for some time. However, midway down the lane, a seam opened along the rail, Méndez drove him through, and the Haras La Esperanza homebred surged, edging out Triple A in the final strides. Trained by José P. García, Empiric Candystopped the clock in 1:09.73 after fractions of 22.59 and 45.77 for the opening 400 and 800 meters, respectively.
“We’ve seen him improving with every start, and I don’t think he’s reached his ceiling yet. The only question was the turf, but he felt comfortable; he has class and always collaborates in everything, and that gives us confidence,” said García, who thanked his entire team in an interview with Fernanda Perrona for Maroñas TV.
Out of La Laiza (Put It Back), Empiric Candy is a half-brother to the notable Escolastic Girl (Suggestive Boy), who recently captured the Clásico Inés Victorica Roca (G3) at Palermo for Pozo de Luna, as well as to Empiric Twice(Emperor Richard), another talented runner.
Sunday’s card also featured the Handicap Especial Pastor Victorica (1600m, dirt), won narrowly by Dubai Zun (Sonic Mule) under Julio César Méndez, defeating Brazilian-bred Follow the Leader (Forestry) by a neck.
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