Butterfing returns in the Vicente L. Casares, with Nassau as his main threat

The gray trained by Juan Saldivia resurfaces after a 164-day layoff in the demanding G3 over 2500 meters at Palermo; the contender under the care of Juan Carlos and Juan Sebastián Maldotti arrives in peak condition with the Pellegrinion the horizon

The return of Butterfing (Angiolo) after a 164-day layoff will be the main attraction this Monday in the Clásico Vicente L. Casares (G3—2500 meters, dirt), one of the season's premier contests for stayers at Hipódromo de Palermo. The presence of the gray, however, guarantees no easy task: standing in his way will be several formidable opponents, led by a sharp Nassau (Forge), who arrives in peak form.

Trained by Juan Saldivia, Butterfing left a strong impression during the early stages of 2026, capturing an allowance condition before making a decisive leap to claim the Gran Premio de Honor (G1), outrunning none other than Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja). It was against that very same rival that he finished fourth in the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) on May 1, his most recent competitive appearance.

Butterfing revealed his high quality early on, winning on debut in the Especial Julio Félix Penna before placing third in the 2025 Gran Premio Nacional (G1), which also came following a six-month hiatus. His career has been brief and spaced out—not so much due to soundness issues as to his tendency to lay it all on the track, requiring ample time to recover between outings. Now, with a patient campaign behind him, he seeks to reclaim his position at the forefront of the division.

The primary threat appears to be Nassau, who returns to Palermo backed by a pair of top-flight efforts at La Plata. First he captured the Clásico Federación Argentina de Jockey Clubes e Hipódromos, and most recently he finished second to Amuni (Tetaze) in the Clásico Stud Book Argentino (L).

Since joining the stable of Juan Carlos and Juan Sebastián Maldotti, the dark bay representing Stud El Basti has established outstanding consistency, securing two allowance wins and a runner-up finish behind Sono Perfetto (Tetaze) in the Clásico General Belgrano (G2), contested over the exact 2500-meter distance he faces today.

The long-term objective for Nassau is December's Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), though his immediate path will be shaped by how he handles this demanding test. He possesses more than enough quality to make a bold impact.

Another runner deserving attention is Mandalorian (Treasure Beach), who at 5 years old seems to have reached the peak of his form. Coming off a 2 1/2-length score for his third career win, he now attempts to translate his upward trajectory in allowance company to graded stakes ranks. While the step up in class is significant, his current momentum makes him hard to dismiss.

Also making his return is Holy Holy Rim (Remote), saddled by Roberto Andrés Pellegatta and sidelined for nearly five months since running well below his best in the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1), won by Magnun Fifth (Daniel Boone). Prior to that, he put on a dominant display to score by 5 lengths over Super Inter (Super Saver) in the Handicap Arturo A. over this course and distance. He boasts plenty of class and foundation to push the top choices.

Finally, The Great Forest (The Great Day) will try to get back on track following a sixth-place finish in the Clásico Italia (G3), where he ended far behind stablemate Drive Joy (Fortify). Having previously strung together two straight wins, he tests his stamina over a longer trip, aiming to prove he belongs among top-tier stayers.

With Butterfing aiming to regain his crown and Nassau looking to solidify his rise, the Casares offers a highly compelling clash. It serves as the feature attraction of a 13-race card kicking off early at 12:45 p.m.