Charm makes a quick comeback seeking to reclaim her status in the Clásico Chile

The triple champion of 2025 stands out as the main attraction in the 2200-meter G2 contest, one of Monday's premier events at Palermo. Cannolina makes her return as a formidable rival, while Argomasa and La Watson arrive on the rise

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Special for Turf Diario).— Barely two weeks after finishing second behind Igual No Soy (John F Kennedy) in the Clásico La Mission (G2), Charm returns to action on Monday seeking a return to winning ways in the Clásico Chile (G2-2200m, dirt), one of two marquee events featured on a spectacular card at Palermo.

The program's other showcase will be the Clásico Italia (G3-2000m), highlighted by an anticipated showdown between Need You Tonight (Hat Ninja) and Drive Joy (Fortify), two champions whose presence elevates an unmissable afternoon of racing.

In the Chile, all eyes will focus on Charm, the triple champion of 2025 who enters on a three-race losing skid as she aims to regain the form that established her as a standout among her generation and subsequently against older fillies and mares. Her most recent effort was nevertheless encouraging: she finished second, just three-quarters of a length behind Igual No Soy on the turf at San Isidro, battling gamely to the wire.

The quick two-week turnaround following that outing introduces a note of uncertainty, with only 15 days of rest between starts. Furthermore, the daughter of Strategos must switch back from turf to the Palermo dirt—the surface on which she earned much of her prestige by capturing the Gran Premio Selección (G1)—while proving her comfort over marathon distances.

The presence of Cannolina (South Kissing) adds further depth to the field. Winner of the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (G1)—a race in which Charm finished fourth—she returns from a 107-day layoff. Her previous start came on the San Isidro turf, where she checked in fourth behind Tía Corazón (Besitos) in the Clásico Partícula (G2). At her best, her back class makes her a serious threat to the favorite.

Constituting the primary secondary challenge are Argomasa (Lucullan) and La Watson (Hurricane Cat), both arriving in sharp form after finishing nose-and-nose in the Clásico Sierra Balcarce. Argomasa prevailed by the narrowest of margins on that occasion, underscoring the parity between the two. While stepping up in class today, both possess the stamina and form to capitalize should the top choices falter.

Stepping up from conditional ranks is Elisa Beauty (Cosmic Trigger), coming off a victory to face the stiffest test of her career. The field is completed by It’s My Look (Equal Stripes), a mare long held in high regard who has yet to translate that potential into black-type victory despite several solid efforts. Coming off a third-place finish behind Sir Brave (Lencelot) in the Handicap Mouchette, she looks to break through at the stakes level.

With Charm seeking to reclaim her status, Cannolina returning with proven G1 credentials, and an intriguing group of rising contenders, the Clásico Chile offers a compelling contest. The 2200-meter test should help clarify the divisional standings for older fillies and mares as momentum builds toward the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1) later in the season.