Cao Viejo pulled off a major upset in the Clásico Aristophanes
The son of Strategos earned his first stakes victory at Palermo, defeating Ask for Wild by a head following a formidable duel. Partnered by jockey Gustavo Calvente, the representative of Stud El Barrial confirmed his remarkable evolution and now sets his sights on even greater challenges
Cao Viejo seems to have developed a definitive taste for victory. Following a sluggish start to his racing career where his maiden win proved elusive, the son of Strategos hasn't stopped progressing, taking a massive leap in quality this Thursday by capturing the Clásico Aristophanes, the feature event of the card over 1,000 meters on the dirt straight at Hipódromo de Palermo.
He was not among the most backed runners on the board, but that mattered little to him. Tipping the scales at a formidable 518 kilograms, backed by increasingly refined speed, and above all, admirable courage, the gray colt made his peak form count by prevailing by a head over Ask for Wild (Angiolo) in a heart-pounding duel that held excitement right down to the final stride.
Gustavo Calvente played a pivotal role in the triumph. Riding with absolute supreme confidence, he allowed the colt to display his raw speed early without holding much back. Cao Viejo broke sharply, took charge of the tempo, and looked to be traveling comfortably until Ask for Wild loomed up to put him to the ultimate test with 350 meters remaining.
The Daniel Cima trainee, who arrived riding a three-race winning streak, pulled alongside, setting off a thrilling stretch battle. Neither runner surrendered an inch, both giving every ounce of grit, and just as the outcome hung in the balance,Cao Viejo found that extra gear that sets horses of true character apart.
The final time of 57.52 seconds for the kilometer underscored a performance of immense merit, particularly given the fierce resistance he faced from such a relentless rival.
3 lengths back from the top two finished the race favorite Rey de la Calle (Che Micky), who never managed to land a serious blow in the final drive. Barely a head behind him came Exclamacion Pass (Distinctiv Passion), with El Angus(Nicholas) another head back, while Chuck Spring (Chuck Berry) rounded out the order of finish. Dom Rui (Storm Embrujado) was scratched.
Cao Viejo's victory carries added weight when considering the trajectory of his campaign. He required 6 starts to finally break his maiden, but from that point forward, everything shifted into high gear.
He followed up immediately with an allowance win, placed second in his next outing, and now, returning from a brief freshening, stepped straight into stakes company to collect his maiden black-type title.
At just 4 years old, the maternal grandson of Manipulator is sending clear signals that his ceiling remains well ahead of him. He won with raw speed, but also with remarkable determination—two indispensable traits for any sprinter targeting top-level contests.
The joy was absolute for Fabio Mentucci, owner of Stud El Barrial, who also serves as breeder and trainer of record for the winner. Few satisfactions match seeing a homebred horse, carrying the stable's signature colors, triumph at this tier.
How far can Cao Viejo go? It is still too early to set boundaries. The Gran Premio Maipú (G1), featuring the division's elite sprinters, looms as an inevitable target, though stepping into such a demanding test on short rest might prove premature. There is little reason to take unnecessary risks when a bright future lies ahead.
What remains clear is that Cao Viejo is no longer just a promising allowance runner. He is now a stakes winner possessed with speed, strength, and heart. If he maintains this upward trajectory, racing fans will need to get used to seeing him right in the mix among the premier sprinters on the straight course.
