Colifato Novo Back to Winning Ways in the Clásico Pedro Chapar, Rekindling Big Dreams

The 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt snapped a 14-month drought, going wire-to-wire to defeat the favorite Unico Happy by three-quarters of a length

On the inside, Colifato Novo dug in gamely to hold off Unico Happy’s late charge / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Fourteen long months—that’s how much time had passed since Colifato Novo last saw the winner’s circle. For a horse of his caliber, it was an eternity. But the drought finally came to an end Sunday, as the 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Coltreturned to form with a front-running victory in the Clásico Pedro Chapar (G3, 1400 meters, turf) at San Isidro, the feature of an entertaining afternoon at the northern track.

Nine races had gone by since his last success, with starts at Palermo, La Punta, and even the northern circuit, ranging from 1000 to 1600 meters. The son of Lenovo seemed to have lost his way, but this performance offered encouraging signs that the champion might be back to his best.

Racing in his familiar style, Colifato Novo broke sharply and never looked back under Iván Monasterolo, who replaced regular rider and trainer Joaquín Cano, the man who guided the colt to his two G1 victories. It would be simplistic to credit the result solely to the jockey change—Cano’s hand in the horse’s development remains undeniable—but Monasterolo’s measured ride made the difference when it counted.

The only anxious moment came midway down the backstretch, when Colifato Novo made an awkward move that nearly interfered with Quality Boy (Asiatic Boy). Straightening for home after splits of :23.54 and :47.49, Monasterolo wisely kept something in reserve before asking for the final effort. The favorite Unico Happy (Hi Happy) came charging late, but Colifato Novo dug in gamely along the rail to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:22.93, with Paraná Miní(Winning Prize) finishing a good third, two lengths behind.

Bred by Maximiliano M. Conti and trained by Carlos Amaya, the dark bay now boasts five wins from 13 starts. The champion has returned—and this time, it feels like he’s here to stay.