Billion and Indy Pro loom as key players on Sunday’s extended card at El Bosque

On a 15-race program, they emerge as leading contenders for the stakes and the feature, respectively

Billion looks to get back to winning ways on Sunday at El Bosque / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

LA PLATA, Argentina – Wrapping up a week loaded with activity, the track here will host a 15-race Sunday program, highlighted by a double stakes offering comprised of the Clásico Jockey Club del Paraguay (2000m, dirt) and the Especial Ribereño (1400m, dirt). The former is open to all horses aged four and up under a weight-for-age scale, while the latter is reserved for 5-year-olds and older with three or more career wins.

The staying feature will mark the return to this venue of the talented Billion (Galicado), who will be looking to recapture his best form after overcoming a lengthy layoff. Recently a fresh third in both the Clásico Italia (G3) and the Clásico Vicente L. Casares (G3), the chestnut has already collected victories in the Clásico Coronel Miguel F. Martínez (G3), the Clásico Ayacucho (G3) and the Clásico OSAF (G3)—the latter over this very track—while also finishing third in the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) and fourth in the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1).

He won’t have things his own way, however. Among the main threats are El Bolivariano (Il Campione), who arrived in La Plata in strong form after an authoritative win in a conditions race, and Tambaqui (True Cause), whose record includes several solid stakes-level efforts.

Later on the card, towards the end of the afternoon, attention will turn to the Especial Ribereño, where Indy Pro (Indy Point, 52) could find a perfect opportunity to land the most important victory of his career.

Trained by Raúl Ramallo and set to race without blinkers, Indy Pro drops back in class after holding his own against significantly tougher competition. Although he failed to fire in the Clásico OSAF (G3) when stretching out in distance, he had previously finished second in the Clásico 9 de Julio – Día de la Independencia (G3) and third in both the Clásico About Today and the Clásico General José de San Martín (G3).

Che Vivi (Manipulator, 56) will carry more weight, but is more than capable of stealing the spotlight. Only eighth in the Gran Premio Palermo (G1) last time out, he had previously rattled off five straight victories at this track, including the Especial Haras Don Arcángel.