Chaplin Had the Last Word in a High-Tempo Mile
The son of Nicholas edged out Kavac by a nose in the Handicap Alan Breck at San Isidro. Forgging, pressed hard up front while carrying 58.5 kilos, turned in a commendable performance in his comeback
The Handicap Alan Breck, the feature race of Friday's attractive card at San Isidro, unfolded exactly as the entries suggested: multiple contenders eager for the lead, a demanding tempo, and a prime opportunity for those who chose to wait. Capitalizing on those conditions was Chaplin (57 kg), who needed every inch of the stretch to make his late run count over the turf.
The lead was claimed early by Forgging (Forge), returning from a nearly year-long layoff due to a significant injury while saddled with the top weight of 58.5 kilos. Neither the lengthy hiatus nor the high weight brought any respite:Midnight Runner (Forge, 52) and Yak Sport (Glory Seattle, 57) went out to contest the pace, forcing a punishing early tempo. Fractional times of 23.94, 46.14, and 1:10.54 proved exceptionally severe for a mile race of this caliber.
Upon entering the home straight, Forgging dug in bravely, but by the 300-meter mark, two rivals with fresh legs were closing in fast. Kavac (Cityscape, 54 1/2) found room along the inside rail, while Chaplin, who had traveled on the inside just ahead of him for much of the running, elected to swing wide to launch his bid.
For a moment, the tactics seemed to favor Kavac. The veteran surged through on the shortest path, made up ground rapidly, swept past, and established a commanding advantage with a sharp turn of foot. Chaplin was forced to rally on the outside. Driver Martín Valle got to work with vigor, eliciting a decisive response: the José Cristóbal Blancotrainee rallied anew, got on terms at the wire, and won by a nose, thwarting what would have been a major upset.
Finishing 2 1/2 lengths back in third was post-time favorite Viejo Varieté (Qué Vida Buena, 57 1/2), who never found the necessary gear to challenge the top two. Further back came G1 winner Folie Ninja (Hat Ninja, 55 1/2) and Forgging, who held fifth, 4 1/2 lengths behind the winner. For the latter, the effort was far more commendable than the finishing position suggests, given his layoff and heavy burden.
Chaplin, carrying the colors of Stud Abuela Tete, stopped the clock for the 1600 meters in 1:35.15, securing his fourth victory in ten career starts. Sired by champion Nicholas out of La Bancroft (Hurricane Cat), he was bred by Haras El Mallín. His official campaign, which began with a second-place finish in the Clásico Estrellas Junior, has been remarkably consistent: he has missed the top three only once, in the Polla de Potrillos (G1).
Last season, he gave a clear indication of his ability when finishing second to Storm Sound (Hi Happy) in the Clásico Joaquín V. González (G2) at La Plata, prior to a long period on the sidelines. He returned with a win at San Isidro,followed by a third-place effort in an allowance race at Palermo, and now has sealed a victory that restores him to center stage.
At just 4 years old, options abound: a return to La Plata for the González, a shot at the Gran Premio Palermo (G1),or a tilt further down the line at the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1) at San Isidro. After such a thrilling victory, Chaplin proved he possesses all the credentials to remain a major player in the mile division.
