Blessed Shine Has a Heart as Big as Her Frame, and She Made That Clear Once Again
- Turf Diario
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
The Stud Aguas Buenas mare edged out favorite International Look by a nose in the Clásico Ricardo P. Sauze (G3)
She is Far from boasting a dream pedigree, and her connections are not those leading the standings. Yet, Blessed Shine possesses a heart that overrides all else—one as massive as her impressive 527-kilogram frame. Reaffirming her competitive generosity and the enviable level of form she has maintained for many months, the dark bay shone once again over the Hipódromo Palermo dirt course, capturing the Clásico Ricardo P. Sauze (G3), the feature race completing Friday's stakes double.
As in the Clásico República Federativa del Brasil (G3), excitement gripped the hearts of those privileged to witness a show of the highest order, where the daughter of the notable Honour Devil denied heavy favorite International Look(Cosmic Trigger) by just a nose over a very heavy, extremely demanding track.
In a race that promised a sharp tempo, predictions held true as Blessed Shine was driven early to the front by Facundo Coria. Mis Locuras (Manipulator), making her first start for trainer Edgardo Martucci, matched strides alongside her, but the jockey from Córdoba accomplished his goal of dictating the pace himself.
Setting solid fractions of 24s35/100 and 47s13/100, the winner turned into the straight with confidence and reserves in the tank. An old fox, Coria angled her off the inner rail to seek firmer ground out toward the middle of the track, then dug deep to fend off the late surge of International Look, who shaved off ground inch by inch but ultimately fell just short. Splash Park (Safety Check) finished third 2 1/2 lengths back, with the clock stopping in a remarkable 1m37s22/100.
Bred by La Caballeriza SA and racing for her homebred Stud Aguas Buenas, 6-year-old Blessed Shine continues to build a strong case as one of the top female milers in the country, highlighting the stellar work of Edilio Martínez and his team, who accomplished the hardest task in racing after reaching the top: maintaining elite form.
Blessed Shine was all heart, and in her ninth career victory, she celebrated the defining win of her racing career. And it was thoroughly deserved.
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