Between late runs and memories, Qué Tarde Gris carved out his own story

With a brilliant ride by Gustavo Calvente, Tres Jotas’s runner captured the G2 Clásico 9 de Julio in a thrilling race from start to finish

Qué Tarde Gris took command in the final stages and held off Adorado Rim / HSI

Emotion was the name of the game in Saturday's Clásico 9 de Julio (G2-1600m) at Hipódromo de San Isidro, one of Argentina's most traditional and prestigious mile turf events, despite having lost its G1 status some years ago. Headlining a stellar card, the race saw Qué Tarde Gris emerge as a deserving winner, aided by a blistering pace and a masterful ride from veteran jockey Gustavo Calvente, a proven big-race pilot.

Calvente, known as "Pintita," judged the tempo perfectly, waiting patiently to unleash the full potential of the Il Campione colt in the final 400 meters, confirming his Turf Diario top pick after a strong fourth-place finish behind El Exito (Il Campione) in the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1) on Palermo's dirt just weeks ago.

Concord (Remote) and Yak Sport (Glory Seattle) set a hot early pace, covering the first 400 meters in 24.17 before ramping it up to a scorching 800m split of 45.38. The eventual winner and late closers were biding their time well off the pace.

Entering the stretch, Yak Sport folded quickly while Concord hung on a bit longer, but by the 400m pole, Quemetomo (Equal Talent) and What a Man (Mastercraftsman) surged to the front, clocking 1200 meters in 1:08.91. What a Man looked poised to pull off the win but was running on fumes late.

Charging hard down the center came Qué Tarde Gris, alongside Adorado Rim (Remote) and Comando Secreto (War Command). It was Qué Tarde Gris who accelerated first, taking command inside the final 50 meters to score by a neck over Adorado Rim, with Comando Secreto only half a length away in third, narrowly missing a remarkable double-event. Folie Ninja (Hat Ninja) completed the superfecta, all behind a blazing final time of 1:33.62.

Bred and owned by Haras Tres Jotas, Qué Tarde Gris is fulfilling the early promise he showed as a juvenile when runner-up to Holy Joy (Fortify) in the Gran Premio Montevideo (G1).

Adorado Rim ran the race of his life, proving he could handle San Isidro’s tougher company after solid efforts in La Plata, while Comando Secreto, now 7, continues to defy age with his consistency and class against younger rivals born after he was already a stakes performer.

Qué Tarde Gris becomes the 36th stakes winner sired by the multiple champion Il Campione (Scat Daddy). He is out of the ultra-consistent Marlotte (El Corredor), making him a half-brother to G1 winner Madonna Benois (Angiolo)and multiple G2-winning Mery Laurent (Angiolo), from the famed Souriante (Lyphmas) family that anchors Tres Jotas.

This marked the first major victory for the stable and farm since the passing of Juan José Caligiuri. It was an emotional afternoon for the entire team, honoring the memory of a man who dedicated his life to Argentine racing.