Charm seeks redemption in the Clásico La Mission

After a pair of unexpected defeats, the 2026 triple champion aims to shine once again on San Isidro's outstanding Saturday race card

It will be a true pleasure to enjoy the race card put together for this Saturday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, the kind that genuinely lives up to the history of the northern titan. There will be 15 races in total, featuring numerous events for juveniles, others for horses with a bright future at the highest level, and a formidable stakes tripleheader.

The 3-year-olds will have two strong feature events in the Clásico Vilmar Sanguinetti (1,400 m, turf) and the Clásico Ensayo (G3-1,800 m, turf), the final premier prep toward the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1). Later, as the main feature, the fillies and mares will begin the final stretch of the road leading to the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1) in the Clásico La Mission (G2).

A G1 for many years and now contested over 2,000 meters on the grass (having been a mile and a half during that golden era...), it arrives with a thoroughly intriguing renewal where most eyes will be fixed on what Charm can accomplish.

Crowned Champion 2-Year-Old Filly, Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, and Horse of the Year last season, the daughter of Strategos started 2026 in top gear before taking her foot off the gas. She finished fourth in the Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena (G1) on the Palermo turf and was expected to step forward in the Carreras de las Estrellas Distaff (G1). She did, finishing third behind the now-exported Indiana Candy (Señor Candy), though still without returning to her absolute peak form.

Now she gets another chance to rediscover the winner's circle, but it will be far from easy. On her path, the morning-line favorite might find a key ally in the race shape, as a fast pace up front is anticipated, which should allow her to travel comfortably in early stages.

Several rivals pose a serious threat, including Portal Maya (Portal del Alto), who returns to the San Isidro turf after more than a year. The representative for Stud As de Picas has been putting together solid efforts, last seen in the Clásico Ignacio e Ignacio F. Correas (G2) at Palermo, finishing a distant second to the now-retired Martana(Fortify). Winner of the Clásico Apertura (G2), she finished behind Charm in the Clásico Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich (G2), but ahead of her in the Lerena, making their upcoming order of finish a compelling storyline.

Riding high after her recent victory in the Clásico Eudoro J. Balsa (G3), Igual No Soy (John F Kennedy) steps up significantly in distance to keep her upward momentum going. She controlled the field wire-to-wire to win by 2 1/2 lengths over the talented Stormy Summer (Nicholas), and she will almost certainly try to repeat those tactics here, though the presence of Tía Corazón (Besitos) and Soy La Líder (Manipulator) could complicate those plans.

The former shocked everyone by taking the Clásico Partícula (G2) after opening up a massive early lead, though she subsequently fell short in a pair of allowance races. The latter, meanwhile, got back on track by leading from gate to wire in the Clásico Espirita (L).

Further class is added by the highly experienced Romana Craf (Mastercraftsman) and Noche Alta (Hi Happy). The former was runner-up in the aforementioned Partícula and is eager to finally make her breakthrough at the graded level. The latter makes another try at ten furlongs, backed by the solid credential of finishing fourth last time out in the Distaff.

Shipping in from Palermo is Splash Park (Safety Check), stretching out farther than ever before as she aims to build on her positive form and capitalize on a likely hot pace to unleash her late charge.