Candy and Giant Aims to Return to Winning Ways in Handicap Emigrant

Carrying top weight of 61 kilos, the daughter of Giant's Pleasure will need to stay on in front if she's to reach her goal

Candy and Giant, well known for her speed / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

It’s hard to imagine that, for the remainder of the season, San Isidro Racecourse will offer a program as poor in quality as the one on tap for this Wednesday. In the realm of alternative-level races and events for older, unremarkable runners, only the Handicap Emigrant (1100m, dirt) escapes total failure—a reflection of a reality that Argentine racing has sadly come to accept as the norm.

The winner of the feature, open to horses aged five and up, will collect ARS 4,200,000—less than ARS 3 million after deductions—barely enough to cover a couple of months of training expenses. A weak card, both in terms of quality and purse money.

Conditions, however, seem tailor-made for Candy and Giant (Giant’s Pleasure) to return to winning ways after three consecutive losses, even though she’ll carry top weight of 61 kilos—a load she’s well used to. A 9-time winner, the Stud Feli Paul representative most recently finished third, beaten three-quarters of a length and a head by Río Maggio(Winning Prize) and Maranelo (Holy Boss) in the Handicap Candy Stripes, under similar circumstances.

Among her toughest rivals will be Bank One (Lenovo, 55.5kg), a winner of the Clásico Juan Lapistoy who followed with a fourth-place finish behind Hiran (Santillano) in the Clásico Santiago Lawrie (G3), stepping back into sprinting after a long time.

There’ll be plenty of speed to deal with up front, notably from Bambino Duke (Lenovo, 56.5kg), a blazing-fast type who lays it all on the line early. A dual stakes winner last season in the Clásicos Juan Lapistoy and Juan Carlos Etchechoury, he’ll be dangerous if he can withstand the pressure.

While not currently in top form, Rugiente (Il Campione, 58.5kg) remains a capable performer, while Free Prize (Winning Prize, 53.5kg) comes in light after finishing second to Ataka (Señor Candy) in the Handicap Haras Chapadmalal. Soy Yarquén (Seize, 53.5kg), too, could rediscover his old spark and make things interesting.