Comando Secreto and the Rare Virtue of Finishing Like a Colt at a Well-Carried Seven

The Stud Sixa runner proved unstoppable in the stretch of the G3 Clásico Buenos Aires, drawing off with authority to defeat Don Latido

All the Applause for Comando Secreto, a Star in His Own Way / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Like in his finest moments, Comando Secreto swept past his rivals down the stretch to land the G3 Buenos Aires S. over a mile on the turf, the other marquee event on an otherwise lackluster Saturday program at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, delivering a performance that drew deserved applause.

Now a well-seasoned 7-year-old, the dark bay sparked huge joy among everyone connected with Stud Sixa, who made the trip from La Pampa carrying the same enduring faith in a horse who has earned affection every step of the way.

His prior outing had fueled optimism, having finished third behind proven performers Super Inter and El Exito in the Listed Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, enough to earn top billing here—and he justified that confidence emphatically.

On the course, the son of War Command responded with a devastating late kick to complete an experience-laden exacta, drawing clear by 1 1/2 lengths over the honest Don Latido, the San Benito chestnut who had also finished second in this race back in 2024.

Comando Secreto is the kind of horse who demands patience, and rider Adrián Giannetti—already familiar with him—read the script perfectly. Anchored near the rear while Don Zahir set the tempo, the winner took time to find his rhythm, but once he did, he proved irresistible.

The fractions of :23.62, :46.72 and 1:10.04 certainly helped set the table, but the way he devoured ground from the 300-meter mark to the wire was striking, especially after briefly looking as though he might struggle to get there.

Brazilian One Thing finished a half-length back in third, while the favorite Academus surprisingly trailed the field, beaten 13 lengths. The final time was 1:33.00.

Prepared by María F. Alvarez and Walter Suárez, Comando Secreto now boasts eight wins from 40 starts and earnings of ARS 82.5 million. A star—very much in his own way.