Ayra Stark and Dona Clota, South American cards in the Orchid Stakes

The Argentine and the Chilean seek to ratify their very good previous performances at Gulfstream Park, during the afternoon of the Florida Derby

Ayra Stark winning at Keeneland/ KEENELAND

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida (Special for Turf Diario).— With the brilliance inherent in one of the most significant dates on the US racing calendar, Gulfstream Park prepares to host a new edition of the Orchid Stakes (G3-2,400m, turf, US$ 175,000) that promises strong emotions. Within the framework of the Florida Derby (G1) festival this Saturday, the South American presence takes center stage with the figures of the Argentine Arya Stark and the Chilean Dona Clota, two mares of proven class seeking to make their graded breakthrough in the north.

Arya Stark, the daughter of Cosmic Trigger who dazzled on Argentine tracks by winning the Clásico Ramón Biaus(G2) over 2,200 meters on the Palermo dirt, arrives at this appointment following a performance that left a bittersweet but optimistic taste. In her last outing, the Christophe Clement (G3), the Haymarket Farm defender set the pace with moderate fractions and showed commendable grit when challenged, falling just short against Speed Shopper (Quality Road) in a tooth-and-nail finish.

Her trainer, Horacio De Paz, analyzed the outlook: "She drew an inside position, but she doesn't necessarily need the lead. Joel Rosario is very skilled at managing the fractions and bringing her from behind if necessary. She seems to be quite versatile, she can run close, but we’ll see how the race develops."

The presence of Rosario in the irons is, undoubtedly, a guarantee of confidence for the Argentine bay as she seeks to replicate her staying successes.

On the other hand, the Chilean Dona Clota represents the other great hope for the region. A double G1 winner in her native country, the pupil of Saffie Joseph Jr. comes off a very valuable third in The Very One (G3), where she flew late after navigating some traffic issues. "I thought she ran very respectably last time. She had some trouble, was a bit keen early, and had to wait," commented her trainer.

Joseph Jr. expressed excitement about the increase in distance: "It was a step in the right direction and the extra footage should help her. She seems to be training better since then, so I’m hopeful everything goes well and she can win a race of this type." For this occasion, she will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, seeking that explosive finish that characterized her at the Club Hípico de Santiago.

The history of the Orchid shows 2 South American victories: one Chilean, by Protectora (Prólogo) in 1975, and another Argentine, courtesy of the unforgettable Safari Queen (Lode) in 2007...

The challenge will not be easy for the South Americans, as they must face the heavy favorite Bellezza (Siyouni). The Moyglare Stud Farm homebred, winner of the Flower Bowl (G2) and trained by Miguel Clement, reappears after her sixth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). "Bellezza looks fantastic. The main reason for running in the Orchid is that she got fit very quickly; she’s a very, very good mare," Clement stated.

The field is completed by Just Basking (Arrogate), coming off a 13-1 upset; the Canadian Sultana (Always Dreaming), winner of the Maple Leaf (G3); and the aforementioned Speed Shopper, who under the tutelage of Will Walden is going through the best moment of her campaign. "She has flourished since we discovered that three turns are her thing," noted her caretaker.

It will be a 2,400-meter litmus test where stamina and strategy will be key. For Arya Stark, it is the opportunity to prove that her class transcends borders and surfaces; for Dona Clota, the chance to confirm that her adaptation to the environment is complete.

The Hallandale Beach turf will hand down its verdict on an afternoon where Southern racing dreams big.