Blessed Shine looks to confirm his strong form in the Handicap Star and Stripes

The daughter of Honour Devil stands a step ahead in a competitive race that pays tribute to a true star of the track

Blessed Shine heads into the race off a victory at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

It is impossible to forget Star and Stripes, a filly of dazzling speed who left her mark over the same Palermo dirt where she will be honored this Friday. She captured both the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) and the Gran Premio Palermo (G1)—the latter against males at three—as well as the Clásico Campos (G2), and on the San Isidro turf at a mile, the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1).

In each of her major victories, Yolanda Dávila was in the irons, piloting the daughter of Parade Marshal, who carried the colors of Stud Dulcinea and was trained by Luis Seglín. Her campaign earned her the titles of Mare of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Filly of 1994.

The handicap that bears her name, set for 1400 meters on dirt and restricted to mares five years old and up that have won, presents as a wide-open affair with nearly as many contenders as entrants. Among them, the current form of Blessed Shine (by Honour Devil) stands out. She comes off a decisive three-length score in the Handicap Laguna Blanca and will now shoulder 57 kilos for Caballeriza Aguas Buenas.

Her main opposition could come from Córdoba-based Costa Dark (In the Dark), the highweight at 58 kilos. After failing to fire when stretched to 1800 meters in the Handicap Mouchette, she cuts back in trip in search of the sharp form that previously yielded strong results at this level, including victories.

Another name with plenty of credentials is Expert Advice (Il Campione, 57.5), now six but boasting an outstanding record of 8 starts, 5 wins and 3 seconds. Last time, she scored with authority in a La Plata allowance, and before that finished runner-up by two lengths to Manicura Rusa (Zensational) in the Handicap Neápolis over the San Isidro mile.

Also in the mix is Hi Chasty (Hi Happy, 54.5), who figures to be a factor, while Che Mamita (Safety Check, 56)—well-seasoned in the handicap ranks—looms as another mare capable of finding her way to the wire at the right time.