Clasico España: Tormenta China Caught Them Without an Umbrella
- Turf Diario
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Big Surprise as Daughter of Malenchini Takes Saturday’s Feature at $28.70
Imagine, dear reader, being caught in a storm without an umbrella—and what if it’s a Chinese storm? There’s simply no escaping a soaking. That was pretty much the scene Saturday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, where Tormenta China, the filly from La Pampa, delivered a major shock in the featured Clásico España (L, 1000m, dirt), splashing bettors with a juicy 28.70-1 payoff.
It was hard to make a case for the daughter of Malenchini, who had finished a distant seventh and last in a two-win allowance just over three weeks ago. Then again, Saturday’s sprint lacked any of the division’s main players, most of whom had competed in the G1 Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires just two days prior.
Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Tormenta China went straight to the front and never looked back, producing a massive form reversal to hold on by half a length over favored Valga La Pena (Fortify), who once again closed late to pick up a check. Another 2 1/2 lengths back came Push Up (Bodemeister), while, in a surprising last-place finish, Jugadoraza (Winning Prize) turned in an uncharacteristically flat performance. The final time of :56.80 was solid for the level.
Trained by Miguel A. Natali for Stud Flo-Ma-Lo, Tormenta China was ridden to victory by Emanuel Jairo Flores, who celebrated accordingly.
Bred by Haras Masama, a farm enjoying a standout season, Tormenta China is out of Irish Storm (Storm Surge), from a female family rooted in Haras Ojo de Agua and widely spread with success among Argentine breeding operations. In recent years, it has produced runners of the caliber of Giuliet Seattle (Seattle Fitz) and Interdetto (Roman Ruler), among others.
Tormenta China made the most of her opportunity and added a valuable black-type win to her résumé, effectively resetting her campaign. Whether she can continue to compete at this level once the division’s top names return remains to be seen—but that’s a story for another day.
