Billion ended a long drought, with Che Vivi upheld by the stewards

The son of Galicado returned to winning ways in the Clásico Jockey Club del Paraguay, while the northern-based runner Che Vivi was awarded the Especial Ribereño on disqualification

Billion nailed them right on the wire in the stakes / HLP

Che Vivi (left) was awarded the victory in the stewards’ room / HLP

LA PLATA.- LA PLATA, Argentina – Billion captured the Clásico Jockey Club del Paraguay (2000m, fast dirt) and Che Vivi(Manipulator, 56) was awarded the Especial Ribereño (1400m, fast dirt) to emerge as the two headline acts of Sunday’s lengthy card at the local track.

It took 695 days — 99 weeks, 22 months — for the talented Billion to return to the winner’s circle, and he did so with courage, on a surface that had previously treated him kindly, having already won the Clásico OSAF (G3) and finished fourth in the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) at this circuit back in 2023.

The son of Galicado showed both class and heart to snatch the trophy right on the line, getting over El Bolivariano (Il Campione) by half a neck in 2:04.39. Always at the back of the pack, Billion was already being pushed along by apprentice Leo Acuña turning for home, and only began to find his full rhythm once he straightened. From there, he started cutting into the margin and produced what he had traveled for — reeling in the favorite at the last jump.

Prepared by Elvio Bortulé, the chestnut races for Stud Don Juanca and was bred by Haras El Turf. He now boasts six career victories, four of them at stakes level. As a colt, he had captured the Clásico Coronel Miguel F. Martínez (G3), before finishing third in both the Clásico Casey (G2) and the Gran Premio Nacional (G1).

The Especial Ribereño was decided in the stewards’ room.

After setting the pace from the break through splits of :22.83, :45.33 and 1:10.01, Indy Pro (Indy Point, 52) drifted slightly in the final stages, just enough to impede the run of Che Vivi. His rider Gonzalo Borda lodged an objection against Jesús Azcona, which was upheld by the stewards, and the placings were altered.

The margin at the wire had been half a neck, and the decision ultimately pleased the majority of punters: Che Vivireturned 1.60, while Indy Pro had paid 10.05.

Final time for the race was 1:22.61.The winner, representing Stud Montana, was trained by Marcelo Sueldo and presented by Juan Pablo E. Díaz.