Bailarín de Venecia is a major contender in an unmissable Clásico Cyllene

The grass kilometer promises to be a major talking point this Friday afternoon, featuring a formidable field of sprinters with one eye firmly set on the Suipacha (G1)

Le Cornette (Emmanuel) will be absent, and his presence is certainly missed. Nevertheless, the Clásico Cyllene(G2-1,000 m, turf), the centerpiece of this Friday’s action ahead of the Pollas at Hipódromo de San Isidro, generates supreme interest as the final major prep toward next month’s Gran Premio Suipacha (G1).

Opening a blockbuster week filled with top-class racing, several divisional leaders will clash for a victory that would provide crucial momentum ahead of a showdown with the champion on Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) afternoon.

So deep is the field that singling out a top pick proves challenging, though preference ultimately falls to Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), who comes in riding a three-race classical winning streak—two of those scored over the very same turf straight he faces today. Trained by Walter Suárez and María F. Alvarez, the colt arrives off victories in the Clásico Santiago Lawrie (G3), the Clásico Prensa Hípica (L), and the Clásico Necochea (L), making it clear he is in peak form.

Breaking from the extreme outside post will be Land of Promise (Le Blues), who finished second to Bailarín de Venecia in both the Lawrie and the Necochea, as well as runner-up to Le Cornette in the Carreras de las Estrellas Sprint (G1)—credentials that suggest his breakthrough victory at the highest level is imminent.

Naranccello (Le Blues) arrives off a third-place finish in the Clásico Paraguay (G3) behind Le Cornette, whom he had previously defeated when they met in the Clásico Pringles (G3) at Palermo. His only prior appearance on the northern turf saw him finish tenth in the Gran Premio Unzué (G1), but he is a vastly improved sprinter today.

The 3-year-old crop holds serious contenders of its own, backed not only by quality but also by favorable weight allowances. November Rain (Strategos) enters undefeated, returning from a layoff after capturing the Carreras de las Estrellas Sprint Junior (G3) in late June; Lunático Pass (Distinctiv Passion) and Mister Market (Market Rally) recently completed a 1-2 finish in the Clásico Propietarios, with the latter subsequently adding an allowance victory to his tab. Both will be in the starting gates.

Lyon (Lenovo), Camuflaje (Orpen), Hiran (Santillano), and Fox Embrujado (Storm Embrujado) bring abundant experience to the table. Joining them is Claro Bombón (Claro Oscuro), a rising talent poised to make his mark in short order.