Blue Caviar Targets Glory in the Nacional, Argentina’s Ultimate Test of Champions

The Pozo de Luna Colt Steps Up After Victories in the Martínez (G3) and Casey (G2), Stretching Out to 2500 Meters on Palermo’s Dirt

Blue Caviar Aims to Crown His Rise in the Argentine Derby / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Few trophies carry as much weight or emotion as the Gran Premio Nacional (G1)—the 2500-meter classic that closes Argentina’s Triple Crown and stands as a symbol of prestige both locally and abroad. “So much hope lives in you—the stablehand tells the crack, ‘Lift me from poverty, my dear pingo, don’t you fail me in the Nacional!’” says the tango Bajo Belgrano, written in the late 1940s by Francisco García Jiménez and immortalized by Alfredo de Angelis and Julio Martel.

It’s no coincidence that the Derby inspired that poetic tribute. Tradition, racing, and popular culture intertwine in this anthem—and once again, Palermo’s “Catedral” will stage the nation’s most demanding test for 3-year-olds, the one that for generations crowned Argentina’s champions.

At around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, thirteen hopefuls will line up before the grandstand, chasing eternal glory and one of the most coveted prizes in South American racing.

Among them is the undisputed standout: Blue Caviar (Equal Stripes), the homebred of Haras Pozo de Luna, who has shown with each start that the farther he runs, the better he gets. Trained by Nicolás Martín Ferro and ridden by Gustavo Calvente, the dark bay enters the Derby off commanding victories in the Clásico Coronel Miguel F. Martínez (G3) and the Clásico Eduardo Casey (G2)—proof that he’s peaking at exactly the right time.

A strong finisher with limitless stamina, Blue Caviar has shown he can adapt to any pace scenario, producing a relentless stretch run that wears down his rivals. In the Martínez, Gordianus (Señor Candy) looked momentarily threatening in the straight, but the Pozo de Luna colt drew off decisively to win by two lengths. A half-brother to champions Blue Prize (Pure Prize) and Blue Stripe (Equal Stripes), he’ll again face Gordianus, who represents the El Olimpo colors.

Juan Saldivia, winner of the last two editions of the Nacional, comes armed with two runners: Butterfing (Angiolo), a half-brother to G1 winner Cima de Areco, who returns from a 168-day layoff after a dazzling debut victory over a mile, and Winston (Forge), one of La Plata’s most consistent performers, a winner of the Polla (G3) and runner-up in the Provincia de Buenos Aires (G2).

Seeking his first Derby, Carlos D. Etchechoury will saddle Peter Tosh (Fortify), a gray from RDI who broke his maiden stylishly at 2200 meters and has long been highly regarded by his connections.

Nassau (Forge), second by a neck to Piñazo (John F Kennedy) in La Plata’s Jockey Club de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (G2), takes another ambitious step forward, while the Gaitán brothers each send out a contender: Uncle Moi (Uncle Mo), runner-up in both the Martínez and Casey for Alfredo, and Herald News (Equal Stripes), a lightly raced colt who impressed over 2200 meters for Nicolás.

Gran Muñeca’s Jazzy Frank (Gidu), fourth in both the Ensayo (G3) and Jockey Club (G1), debuts on the Palermo dirt, while In the Island (In the Dark) completes the lineup of dreamers.

The Gran Premio Nacional will once again blend glory, nostalgia, and passion—the eternal tango of Argentine racing. For one colt and his people, the hope remains the same: “¡No te me manques pa’l Nacional!”