Colifato Novo confirmed for the Urbano de Iriondo

The crowd-drawing son of Lenovo will be Sunday’s central attraction at Hipódromo de San Isidro; the Clásico Melgarejo will also be run

Colifato Novo, a fan favorite / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The next three programs at Hipódromo de San Isidro have been officially confirmed, as the venue continues its countdown toward the great December festival, headed by the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1).

Everything will kick off on Friday, with the Hándicap Polar Star (1400m, dirt) as the main event, a contest for fillies and mares aged four and up. Only five runners were confirmed, with Causeway Girl (Dabster) set to carry topweight of 60.5kg.

She will be challenged by Che Solita (Zensational, 54kg), Joy Traviesa (Fortify, 55kg), Lancara (Manipulator, 54kg) and Mehora (Fortify, 53kg).

The most important action in the north will come on Saturday, November 29, with the running of both the Clásico Melgarejo (L–1400m, diagonal turf) and the Clásico Urbano de Iriondo (L–1400m, diagonal turf). The former is for fillies and mares aged three and up, while the latter is open to all horses of three and older.

In the Melgarejo, the expected contenders include Amonet (Mask), Candlelit (Equal Stripes), Dream Serena (Forge), Ethereum, Finikas (Angiolo), Lessons of Life (Le Blues) and Same Treasure (Treasure Beach).

Meanwhile, the participation of champion Colifato Novo (Lenovo) has been confirmed for the Urbano de Iriondo, where he will take on Don Latido (John F Kennedy), El Gazpacho (Bodemeister), Giant Rimout (Remote), Hop On(Endorsement) and The Outsider (Roman Joy).

Finally, the San Isidro series will be completed on Wednesday, December 3, featuring the Hándicap Make Tracks (1100m, dirt), for horses aged five and up, run in memory of the outstanding stallion from Haras La Quebrada.

After four scratchings, only five runners remain, with Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero) set to shoulder the top impost of 60kg. He will be opposed by Bank One (Lenovo, 57kg), Bingo Song (Alcindor, 58.5kg), East Ender (Il Campione, 53kg) and Fire Class (Emperor Richard, 53.5kg).