Blue Caviar Shines as Leading Nacional Hope on Ferro’s Dream Afternoon

The Pozo de Luna homebred captured the G2 Clásico Eduardo Casey to stamp himself a leading contender for the Nacional, while trainer Nicolás Martín Ferro swept all three Sunday features at Palermo

Blue Caviar began to draw clear entering the final 300 meters / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After stepping into the spotlight of his generation with a victory in the Clásico Coronel Miguel F. Martínez (G3), Blue Caviar arrived at the demanding 2200 meters of the Clásico Eduardo Casey (G2) tasked with confirming his status and securing a ticket to the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) in top-class fashion.

The Pozo de Luna homebred handled the assignment with ease, delivering the highlight of a dream Sunday for trainer Nicolás Martín Ferro, who swept all three stakes races on the Palermo card.

Ferro teamed with Gustavo Calvente in the Casey after Kevin Banegas opted for Las Monjitas, and the duo also guided Treasure Island (Treasure Beach) to victory in the Clásico Vicente L. Casares (G3), where the colt’s class proved decisive.

Back to the Casey, the younger brother of standout performers Blue Stripe (Equal Stripes) and Blue Prize (Pure Prize)—all out of the incomparable Blues for Sale (Not for Sale)—was not the quickest from the gate but quickly positioned himself on the leader’s flank, head raised, tracking Uncle Moi (Uncle Mo) through early fractions of 26.30, 51.40, and 1:16.27 over a heavy track.

Turning for home, Calvente pressed the favorite, and once into the stretch, the pair engaged in a prolonged duel. For several strides, neither yielded, but by the 300-meter mark it was clear Blue Caviar would prevail. He drew clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

Uncle Moi was a game second and will look for revenge in the Derby, while Cazador de Areco (Long Island Sound)finished a distant third, seven lengths back. Final time was 2:16.93, with intermediate splits of 1:40.52 and 2:04.20.

Rider José Cerrillo secured his first Nacional victory and his second consecutive as a breeder, following Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs) in 2024, bred at the Chenaut farm.

Blue Caviar has now won both the Martínez and the Casey impressively, establishing himself as one of the top contenders for the highly anticipated Nacional. With distance, time, and maturity on his side, this colt looks extremely hard to beat next month.