At Palermo, Sarzana Pass Returns to the Straight and Back to the Winner’s Circle

The daughter of Distinctiv Passion had no trouble dispatching the four rivals that lined up against her in the Especial Gay Hermit (1000m)

Near the rail, Sarzana Pass put her speed on full display / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

A cutback in distance proved to be the perfect move for Sarzana Pass, who emerged as one of the standout performers on an unusual Wednesday card at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, capturing the Especial Gay Hermit over 1000 meters on dirt.

After finishing a distant runner-up to Roshita (Gouverneur Morris) in the G2 Clásico Saturnino J. Unzué over 1200 meters, El Alfalfar’s homebred filly returned to the track and trip where she had previously won the G2 Clásico Carlos Casares, reaffirming that she is a pure speed specialist.

While many owners might feel frustrated about stepping away from the traditional juvenile stakes path, Alfredo Camogli—one of the sport’s biggest sprinting enthusiasts—takes a different approach. He finds far more excitement in seeing his horses dash down the straight rather than stretching them beyond a mile.

And Camogli had every reason to be delighted after Sarzana Pass’ performance. The Distinctiv Passion filly, out of Genovesa Key (Key Deputy), stumbled slightly at the break but quickly recovered to engage in an early battle with Black Happy (Hi Happy). By the 400-meter mark, she asserted control and maintained her advantage to the wire, holding Vendaval Joy (Roman Joy) at bay by 1 1/2 lengths, with the runner-up delivering another solid effort. Antiguo Secreto (Angiolo) finished a distant six lengths back in third, with the clock stopping at 55.45.

Trained by Héctor Calvente and piloted by Jorge Peralta—who stepped in for Gustavo Calvente while carrying just 53 kilos—Sarzana Pass is quickly establishing herself as a leading force among the nation’s juvenile sprinters, in a division that is just beginning to take shape.