Candy Unica Rallied When Few Expected Her to Capture the Güiraldes
- Turf Diario
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
With Adrián Giannetti in the irons, the daughter of Señor Candy wore down the courageous Foto Increíble in the final strides to secure a half-length victory, climbing several spots in the division rankings
The outcome of the Clásico Manuel J. Güiraldes (G3)—a 1,400-meter dirt feature that served as a centerpiece of a spectacular Saturday card at Palermo and the critical first classic stepping stone for three-year-old fillies toward the Triple Crown—was turned completely on its head the moment the starting gates crashed open.
On paper, Personal Filly (Dabster) loomed as the overwhelming horse to beat. Backed by a devastating maiden victory and a subsequent runner-up finish to Gran Gotera (Made You Look) in the Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1), her heavy favoritism on the betting boards was fully justified. However, a violent stumble at the break—which very nearly unseated her rider—completely compromised her chances. She was never able to recover from the early mishap or find any semblance of a comfortable racing rhythm from there.
With the public choice effectively out of the equation, the race was thrown wide open, setting up a dramatic finish. It was there that Candy Unica emerged with immense authority, launching a devastating stretch drive to collar the courageous Foto Increíble (Gouverneur Morris) right on the money when a victory for the latter seemed all but assured.
The Rubio B. representative had actively dictated the terms almost from the jump, and as the field swung into the homestretch, she kicked clear to open up what looked like a race-winning advantage. However, Adrián Giannetti was just beginning to launch his bid from the back of the pack.
Currently enjoying an extraordinary run of form in the saddle, the champion jockey coolly rationed Candy Unica's reserves, steering her toward the widest, clearest lanes upon entering the straight. Over the final 200 meters, the filly unleashed a sustained and relentless rally, wearing down the stubborn pacesetter in the final block to secure a half-length victory in a final time of 1:24.61.
Two lengths further back, Salema (Il Mercato) delivered a highly commendable effort to lock down the third spot, while Antolina (Remote) checked in fourth, another length and a half behind. Meanwhile, a completely compromised Personal Filly could do no better than seventh, finishing 7 1/4 lengths adrift of the winner.
Bred by Haras Vikeda and conditioned by Pedro Armada at San Isidro's Campo 2 for the silks of Stud Patero, Candy Unica entered the feature on the strength of a highly productive campaign at La Plata, where she had captured the Clásico Fortunato Damiani (G3) alongside other prominent stakes performances during the winter selection process.
Her triumph serves as another resounding validation for the elite caliber of fillies emerging from the La Plata circuit this season—a high-flying group that already features the likes of Grade 1 winner Gran Gotera and Gota Clara Sos (Made You Look), and now officially boasts a formidable new protagonist at the highest level.
As a daughter of Señor Candy (Candy Ride), Candy Unica has firmly established her credentials among the elite of her generation and will now point directly toward the classic Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) in the spring. Likewise, Foto Increíble's heroic frontend effort made it abundantly clear that she remains a top-tier threat fully deserving of a swift rematch.
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