Ataka, solid, speedy, and consistent, was back in the winner’s circle at Palermo

The Señor Candy filly captured the Handicap Pensilvania, bringing her record to five wins from eight starts, never finishing worse than third

Ataka and her imposing near-530 kilos were once again unstoppable / HAPSA

Winning back-to-back in handicap company is never easy. By nature, the division sees weights shift from race to race, complicating or favoring each runner’s chances.

However, after stepping up a few weeks ago to take the Handicap Haras Chapadmalal, Ataka returned to the dirt at Palermo on Monday to double down, capturing the day’s feature, the Handicap Pensilvania, contested over 1400 meters.

That previous victory came under 55kg, and this time, carrying 57.5kg, the Señor Candy filly confirmed her outstanding form, dominating almost from start to finish despite constant pressure.

With Pablo Carrizo back aboard just a day after a minor accident, the striking 529-kilo chestnut withstood the early challenge of favorite Victoria Bayern (Santillano, 55kg) and later that of La Bombonera (Portal del Alto, 54kg), reaching the stretch in complete control.

Down the center of the track, the Stud Puey runner kept digging in and never let them catch her, ultimately scoring by three-quarters of a length over Victoria Bayern, with Holy Valley (Homage, 55kg) another length back in third. Aiyanna(Santillano, 60kg) finished fifth, while topweight Viva Al Sur (South Kissing, 60.5kg) checked in sixth. Final time was 1:24.48, with fractions of 24.71, 48.30, and 1:11.68.

Bred by Haras de La Pomme and trained by Juan L. Panizza, Ataka has now won five of her eight starts and has never finished worse than third.