Black Stripes Wires the Field in the Especial Furious Key

Carrying just 52 kilos, turned back Seek Wave by a length over a mile and emerged as the standout performer of Tuesday’s card at La Plata

Black Stripes kept Seek Wave safely at bay throughout / HLP

LA PLATA.- Carrying a light impost of just 52 kilos and taking command right from the break, Black Stripes had the pleasure of scoring his first victory at stakes level Tuesday at La Plata, wiring the field in the Especial Furious Key (1600m, dirt, fast) and extending the hot streak of trainer Nicolás Martín Ferro, who had swept all three feature events at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo on Sunday.

A son of Equal Stripes and Bonica Noia (Lizard Island), the Haras Abolengo-bred runner set the pace throughout, always holding a safe advantage over Seek Wave (Seek Again, 56 kg), who tried in vain to reel him in and had to settle for second, one length behind the Stud Libertadores de América representative under Martín Valle.

Three lengths back came Hit It a Royal (Hit It a Bomb, 52) in third, a head in front of Fantástico Loir (Flesh for Fantasy, 54), while G2 winner Notable Island (Lizard Island) was a late scratch. The final time was 1:38.64 after splits of :25.11, :48.18, and 1:12.75.

Now a four-year-old, Black Stripes registered his fourth win from 13 starts, having previously shown ability at a higher level with a runner-up finish in the Clásico Gendarmería Nacional Argentina, a third in the Clásico El Virtuoso (G3), and a fourth in the Handicap Silfo.

Long held in high regard by his connections, Black Stripes may now be poised to begin fulfilling that promise. Tuesday’s performance at La Plata could well mark the start of that upward path.