Colifato Novo stands out as the headline act on Saturday’s turf program at San Isidro

The champion will look to add another victory in the Clásico Urbano de Iriondo (L), while the Melgarejo (L) presents the filly Amonet with an ideal stage to continue her upward progression

Colifato Novo appears to have the ideal conditions in place to put his talent on full display / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

With rain in the forecast, San Isidro is set to host another Saturday program, featuring a robust lineup of 16 races. The spotlight will fall on the diagonal turf course and the 1400-meter trip, the stage for both the Clásico Urbano de Iriondo (L) and the Melgarejo (L). The former is open to horses three and up, while the latter is restricted to fillies and mares under the same conditions.

The headline attraction is the return of champion Colifato Novo, back at the home of the Jockey Club Argentino and ready to confirm that his path toward top-level company is once again taking shape. Winner of last season’s G1 Estrellas Juvenile and G1 2000 Guineas, the son of Lenovo made his seasonal debut with a front-running score in the G3 Pedro Chapar, true to his trademark style.

That day, with Iván Monasterolo aboard for the first time, the Stud El Ranquél runner held off Unico Happy (Hi Happy) by three-quarters of a length with solid authority, under nearly identical circumstances to what he’ll find on Saturday.

He had a couple of legitimate challenges to deal with last time out—this time, he may not. If he’s allowed to dictate terms, he’ll be exceedingly hard to reel in through the lane.

Lining up to take their shot are proven veterans such as Don Latido (John F Kennedy), fourth in the Chapar and owner of a résumé worthy of respect. A nine-time winner with multiple graded scores, the San Benito homebred will look to unleash his customary late kick, intent on showing that at six years old he still has more to offer.

Haras El Angel de Venecia will try to extend its good run with The Outsider (Roman Joy), the lone 3-year-old in the field and coming off a sharp upset in the Clásico Candy Ride (L), where he showed class to narrowly deny Convertido (Conversor). Youth is in his corner—as is the weight: he carries 54 kilos, compared to 60 for his chief rivals.

Experience will be the main asset for El Gazpacho (Bodemeister), Giant Rimout (Remote) and Hop On(Endorsement), all looking to land a surprise.

Immediately after comes the Melgarejo, a race that appears wide open on paper. Facing older mares for the first time, there is plenty of anticipation surrounding the return of Amonet (Mask), dazzling winner by daylight when breaking her maiden locally on dirt, and even better when defeating Catys Queen (Lizard Island) by three lengths in the Clásico Empiric.

It will be a moment of confirmation for the Stud Los Halcones filly, who must watch out for Dream Serena (Forge), well suited to conditions that should enhance her late-running style, fresh off a strong runner-up effort—just 1 1/2 lengths behind fellow 3-year-old Stormy Summer (Nicholas) in the Clásico The Japan Racing Association (L) on Palermo’s turf.

In that same race, Candlelit (Equal Stripes) finished a disappointing fifth after previously chasing home Adi Shakti(Lucullan) in the Doria and taking the G3 General Las Heras.

Same Treasure (Treasure Beach) shortens up after a series of respectable graded performances, while Lessons of Life(Le Blues) is another 3-year-old with ambitions following a sharp allowance win at Palermo.

A strong and varied Saturday menu awaits at San Isidro, from start to finish.