With the undefeated filly out of contention, El Alfalfar’s homebred extended the stud’s remarkable streak of success, cruising to an eight-length victory in the Listed Clásico Amílcar A. Mercader
LA PLATA.- Thursday's card at La Plata got off to a rocky start, delayed by more than an hour due to a planned power outage—yes, planned—that nearly forced the cancellation of all scheduled races. Calling the situation "improvised" would be overly kind, but it reflects the current state of affairs. With countless associations and unions within the racing industry seemingly indifferent, it’s no surprise that the southern track has fallen off the radar for many, evident in the increasingly lackluster quality of its programs.
The highlight of the day was the Listed Amílcar A. Mercader Stakes (1000m, dirt), the opening step for 2-year-old fillies in their road to the classics. Yet even before the race began, drama unfolded as the undefeated favorite Calle de Tierra (Strategos) and Pitucona Pass (Distinctiv Passion) were scratched after bolting from the starting gate.
This turn of events cleared the way for Baby Pass, who had finished second to Calle de Tierra in the Clásico Nueva Generación. This time, the task was effortless for the imposing chestnut filly, who dominated a field of four overmatched rivals with ease.
Trained by Marcelo Sueldo, Baby Pass delivered another significant victory for Stud-Haras El Alfalfar and their stallion Distinctiv Passion, who had already celebrated major wins the previous weekend at Palermo with Fantasioso Pass in the Kemmis (G3) and Sarzana Pass in the Casares (G3).
Under Jorge Peralta, the favorite briefly contested the lead with Bon o Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) before dispatching her at the top of the stretch and pulling away with authority. She crossed the wire eight lengths clear of runner-up Sahara Reward (Grand Reward), while Bon o Bomb, Indy Mía (Puerto Escondido), and Equal Soñadora (Equal Talent) finished far behind but still managed to collect substantial checks for their efforts.
Baby Pass stopped the clock in 1:01.30 over a heavy dirt track, recording her second win in three starts. The performance confirmed her as a key player in the upcoming juvenile filly division. A maternal sibling to G3-placed Angustia Song (Alcindor) and G2-placed Cry Baby Key (Key Deputy), she boasts a stellar pedigree tracing back to Sugary (World Cup).
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