Cádiz Defends His Crown in a Promising Clásico Benito Lynch
The top 3-year-old sprinter at La Plata takes on Shiawase, Candy Man, and a talented lineup of rising prospects in the final stepping stone toward the Clásico Ciudad de La Plata (G2)
LA PLATA.- The juvenile sprinters at El Bosque will face a high-voltage test this Thursday. The Clásico Benito Lynch (L), the final prep for 3-year-old colts pointing toward the Clásico Ciudad de La Plata (G2), has drawn a select field of just six runners, but there is no shortage of quality for what promises to be a thrilling contest. Over 1200 meters, the undefeated-at-the-distance Shiawase (Lucullan) and the surging Candy Man (Strategos) will look to put the reign of Cádiz to the ultimate test, as the latter carries the strongest credentials among local specialists.
The son of Strategos arrives in formidable form. He has strung together three consecutive victories with impressive authority: initiating his streak in the Especial Velocistas Potrillos, continuing in the Clásico Jockey Club de Azul (L), and completing the hat-trick in the Clásico José María Boquín (L). Beyond the wins themselves, his decisive running style is what truly established him as the top 3-year-old sprinter at La Plata. He travels comfortably, turns on the speed when called upon, and appears to have plenty of untapped potential remaining. His ability to deliver around turns nourishes long-range ambitions.
However, the Benito Lynch will be no walk in the park. Shiawase poses a major threat, backed by a record of three victories from four starts and the backing of a stable-jockey combination leading their respective standings: Marcelo Sueldo conditioning and Gonzalo Borda riding.
Carrying the silks of Stud Facundito, he enters off back-to-back victories, most recently capturing the Clásico Remigio González Moreno on the dirt at San Isidro. His sole setback occurred when stepping up to 1400 meters, where he finished a solid third; over 1200 meters, he is a perfect three-for-three—a record impossible to overlook.
Another contender with serious claims is Candy Man, also a son of Strategos and a winner in two of his three lifetime outings. He debuted with a narrow victory over 1000 meters at Palermo, then finished third behind stakes winner Listen (Le Blues) when testing 1200 meters on the San Isidro turf, before rebounding with a one-length victory upon returning to the dirt in Buenos Aires. Both of his wins have come at 1000 meters, and he must now prove that his steady progress translates to 1200 meters around a new track.
Sueldo also holds a second entry in Sensei (Storm Embrujado), a stablemate to Shiawase who has shown rapid development on the local circuit. After breaking his maiden by two lengths over 1000 meters, he doubled down against winners by a length, leaving a sharp impression. Step-up to stakes company presents a demanding assignment given the depth of the field, but he comes in with momentum and proven track familiarity.
Lobito de Mar (Il Mercato), who finished third behind Sensei last time out, and Wonderful Winner (Malenchini), fourth in an allowance race in his latest start, round out the field. For both, getting involved in the finish will require a significant jump in form compared to their recent efforts.
While the immediate target is the Benito Lynch, the ultimate goal lies just ahead on the calendar. The Clásico Ciudad de La Plata awaits to crown one of the premier sprinters at El Bosque, and Thursday's contest will provide a true barometer of Cádiz’s leadership against a field unwilling to give an inch.
