Blessed Shine grew in confidence on the front end and shrugged off both the weight and her rivals

The Honour Devil filly, expertly handled by Facundo Coria, went gate to wire to land the Orpen Handicap

Blessed Shine now boasts three handicap victories in her career / HAPSA

Carrying the full impost of 59 kilos proved no obstacle for Blessed Shine, who capped off a strong season with a front-running victory in Friday’s Handicap Orpen at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, the feature of the card run over a mile on dirt.

Coming off a rare misstep in the Handicap Potrizaris after back-to-back successes at this level, the Honour Devil filly returned to her best form, asserting total authority from gate to wire and never allowing her rivals to get within striking distance.

Rider Facundo Coria, fully aware of his mount’s strengths, wasted no time sending her straight to the lead. Settled comfortably on the front end, Blessed Shine dictated matters throughout, rationing her energy with precision for the decisive stages.

After carving out an opening quarter in :24.96, she cruised along unchallenged, and once she clicked off the half in :48.97, the race already appeared firmly in her grasp. Coria remained motionless as they straightened, and Blessed Shine quickly opened up a three-length advantage, sealing the outcome long before the wire.

La Bombonera (Portal del Alto, 54.5kg) made a belated attempt to close but was left second, 2 1/2 lengths adrift, with South Briole (South Kissing, 58kg) another three lengths back in third. Favorite Gigantografía (Bodemeister, 58kg) never factored and finished a well-beaten fifth. The final time was 1:39.34, with a 1:13.48 split for 1200 meters over a loose surface.

Bred by La Caballeriza S.A. and trained by Edilio R. Martínez, Blessed Shine recorded the seventh victory of her career from 18 starts, five of them this season and now three at the handicap level. Her earnings have climbed to ARS 45,610,000.

Already proven in graded company as a placed finisher in the Clásico Budista Dan, Blessed Shine has clearly earned the right to try deeper waters again, a step that could come sooner rather than later.