Despite the weight assignment, Che Mamita could make her experience count in the Handicap Stiletto

The daughter of Safety Check will carry the top weight of 60 kilos as she faces Noche Plateada, whom she has already defeated under a similar impost

Che Mamita has already secured three handicap victories throughout her productive campaign / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The declining quality and quantity of races and entries at Hipódromo de San Isidro in recent weeks remains a growing concern. Although the track hosted three programs during the current period—somewhat spreading the available horse population—the increasing frequency of races with just five, six, or seven starters is becoming the norm. With foal crops decreasing year after year, this trend seems bound to continue.

The long-standing prize money gap between San Isidro and Palermo traditionally had little effect on entries. However, more owners and trainers are now opting for Buenos Aires's city track, looking to claim slightly higher purses from an already limited pool of prize money. San Isidro is fortunate that La Plata is not competing at the moment—otherwise, the situation could be even more challenging.

As a result, only 11 races will be held this Friday at San Isidro, with a mere 82 confirmed starters. Among them, just five fillies and mares will contest the feature event, the Handicap Stiletto (1600m, dirt), reserved for five-year-olds and up, offering a winner’s purse of $5,560,000.

The race appears highly competitive on paper, with Che Mamita looking to capitalize on her experience, despite carrying a challenging top weight of 60 kilos. The daughter of Safety Check comes off a seventh-place finish behind Obra Clásica (Suggestive Boy) in the Clásico Juárez Celman (G2) over the Palermo turf, a surface that has never suited her well.

A three-time handicap winner, she previously ran third in the Handicap Rafale, finishing 3 1/2 lengths behind Viva Al Sur (South Kissing) while giving 3 1/2 kilos to Noche Plateada (In the Dark, 57), whom she defeated by four lengths.

Noche Plateada looms as her primary challenger, having finished a close third—less than a length behind Galitza (Bodemeister)—in the Handicap Court Harwell. However, that effort came just a week ago, raising concerns about how she will handle the quick turnaround.

Meanwhile, Doble Amarilla (Suggestive Boy, 52 1/2) recently defeated Guapa Mireya (Endorsement, 55 1/2)—who rebounded in her next start—and both return here with lighter imposts, adding further intrigue to the race.