Billion and a very nice opportunity to add a new victory

The son of Galicado appears clearly above his rivals in the Handicap República de Francia this afternoon at San Isidro

Billion's class should prevail / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

As is customary on Wednesdays, the racing program at San Isidro will be a lackluster one, filled with "alternativa" races and events for older horses. Amidst this unattractive menu, the Handicap República de Francia will provide a bit of class.

With a distance of 2,400 meters on the dirt for horses 5 years old and up, it will reward its winner with a modest 6,175,000 pesos before deductions—a pittance, like most of our purses.

With 6 confirmed runners, Billion (Galicado) has a great opportunity to add a new victory, carrying just 58 1/2 kg. The chestnut, trained by Elvio Bortulé, is in top form; after winning the Clásico Jockey Club del Paraguay in La Plata, he went to Palermo to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the tough El Emporio (Il Campione) in the G3 Clásico Ayacucho, beating much tougher rivals than those he will face today.

Dragonet (Treasure Beach) will likely try to take the lead, as usual, and stay there for as long as his energy lasts—which often isn't much further than the first few meters of the homestretch in these types of contests. He is coming off a fourth-place finish in the G3 Clásico Botafogo, 7 1/2 lengths behind the dead heat between Chelato (Cosmic Trigger) and Pecado Original (Global Hunter)—an acceptable effort.

El Estanciero (Fire Slam, 53) competed in the G2 Clásico Clausura in La Plata, where he had little to do against Sono Perfetto (Tetaze). However, he won't find names of that caliber here.