On Turf, with Gustavo Calvente's masterful ride, Despacito shines in the Río de la Plata Stakes (L)
Despacito made his debut in November 2020, a time when the three rivals he faced this Sunday in the Clásico Río de la Plata (Listed-1200m, diagonal turf) were either yet to be born or still in their mothers’ wombs.
This fact alone highlights the remarkable consistency of the son of Sabayón, who, at nearly eight years old, returned to the winner’s circle at the Hipódromo de San Isidro after a 15-month drought. Breaking the longest winless streak of his career, Despacito proved that the number 13 is far from unlucky. With this victory, he notched his 13th career win in his 13th start since his last triumph in November 2023.
Facing only three rivals and carrying 58 kilograms, Despacito drew on his wealth of experience. Guided masterfully by the seasoned Gustavo Calvente, he controlled the race from the outset, seizing the lead from the gate and never relinquishing it. Calvente ensured the heavily favored Rugiente (Il Campione, 59) was kept locked on the inside, leaving him unable to mount a challenge and ultimately trailing the field at the finish.
In racing, there’s an unwritten rule: the rail is sacred territory, and Calvente knows it better than most. He is known for denying his rivals any opening along the inside, a skill he executes with precision—especially in stakes races, where his tactical brilliance shines brightest.
With Despacito, Calvente delivered another flawless ride. The pair cruised to the wire with a comfortable 2 1/2-length margin over Pulmón de Acero (Daddy Long Legs, 54 1/2), who stepped up from allowance company to finish second. Suarium (Manipulator, 55 1/2) crossed the line third, 1 1/2 lengths further back, while Rugiente, confined to the rail throughout, finished fourth and continued to show a preference for dirt over turf. The winning time of 1:11.42 may not have been flashy, but the course conditions were far from conducive to fast performances.
Trained in Santa Rosa, La Pampa, by Darío Periga and saddled by his son Ignacio Nahuel, Despacito returned to the spotlight, showcasing his enduring class and competitive spirit—a testament to a heart that refuses to quit.
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