Balsa and Bayakoa Stakes Complete Guineas Day Card at San Isidro

The upcoming trio of stakes races in the North was finalized Tuesday with the confirmations for the fillies’ and mares’ events

Fiesta Porteña Among Leading Contenders in the Balsa / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The Hipódromo de San Isidro has finalized its next two race cards, with strong attention focused on this coming Saturday’s program, which will feature a new edition of the Gran Premio 2000 Guineas (G1, 1600m, turf), the first major test for 3-year-old colts in the second half of the season.

With Monday’s announcement of the 13 confirmed runners for the Guineas, only the forfeits remained for the two supporting stakes races that will add further class to the day: the Bayakoa (Listed, 1400m, turf, around the bend) for fillies, and the Eudoro J. Balsa (G3, 1600m, turf) for mares four and up.

After six withdrawals, the Bayakoa—which the Jockey Club created to replace the 1000 Guineas inexplicably removed from the calendar (only here can something like that happen...)—will feature: Catys Queen (Lizard Island), Finikas(Angiolo), Intrusión (Gouverneur Morris), Invocación (Treasure Beach), Mi Confesión (Suggestive Boy), Mi Gran Chica (Seahenge), Miss Kalima (Seahenge), Orphila (Daniel Boone), and Plaza Athenee (Il Campione).

As for the Eudoro J. Balsa, only Viva Al Sur (South Kissing) was withdrawn, leaving the lineup as: Candlelit (Equal Stripes), Doña Enigma (Fortify), Dream Serena (Forge), Elvitas (Cosmic Trigger), Fiesta Porteña (Fortify), the unbeaten Gigantografía (Bodemeister), Guiltless (Full Mast), Same Treasure (Treasure Beach), and South Briole(South Kissing).

Saturday’s program at San Isidro will feature 17 races in total, beginning at 12:00 p.m. and concluding around 8:00 p.m. The Bayakoa is scheduled to go off at 3:50 p.m., followed by the Eudoro J. Balsa at 4:25 p.m., and closing the stakes trio will be the 2000 Guineas at 5:00 p.m.

Racing will also be held at San Isidro on Wednesday, July 30, with the highlight being the Handicap Emigrant, for 5-year-olds and up, over 1100 meters on the dirt.

Just six runners are set to compete: Soy Yarquén (Seize, 53.5 kg), Rugiente (Il Campione, 58.5 kg), Free Prize (Winning Prize, 53.5 kg), Candy and Giant (Giant’s Pleasure, 61 kg), Bambino Duke (Lenovo, 56 kg), and Bank One (Lenovo, 55.5 kg).