Don Zahir in the mile and Le Cornette in the sprint stand out as the key contenders for two attractive stakes races
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
On the road to May 1st, the former stands out in the Clásico El Virtuoso (G3), while the latter seeks a new graded victory in the Clásico Irlanda (G3)
As the week of high-quality racing continues at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, this Monday features the Clásico El Virtuoso (G3-1600m, dirt) and the Clásico Irlanda (G3-1000m, dirt). These races serve as key stepping stones toward the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1) and the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1), respectively.
While the mile feature presents a wide-open field of contenders, the sprint stands out due to the formidable presence of Le Cornette (Emmanuel).
Clásico El Virtuoso (G3): A Battle of Generations
The mile feature will once again pit Don Zahir (Daddy Long Legs) against Comando Secreto (War Command). In their recent meeting in the Clásico Good Manners, Don Zahir pulled away by 5 lengths. The veteran bay from Stud Sixa will look to narrow that gap, though the younger Don Zahir appears to still be on an upward trajectory.
Other key entries include:
Preston Boss (Holy Boss): Looking fully recovered after a gritty win in the Handicap Dancing Moss, he now faces tougher competition to reclaim his former status.
Don Griego (Long Island Sound): Boasting a perfect 3-for-3 record, he steps up to graded stakes company as a high-potential threat that must be taken into account.
Clásico Irlanda (G3): The King of the Straight
In the sprint division, Le Cornette appears difficult to beat based on both his elite resume and current form. He enters the race fresh off a 2-length victory over the 3-year-old Naranccello (Le Blues) in the Clásico Jerry Honor. While Naranccello seeks revenge as he continues to establish himself in the category, Le Cornette remains the clear horse to beat.
Rounding out the field is:
Salando Las Heridas (Strategos): Arriving from San Isidro, he comes off a strong performance where he finished second to the multi-champion Labrado in the Clásico General Viamonte (G3).
Following the excitement of Saturday's opening of the Campeonato de Oro, Palermo continues the momentum toward May 1st with two high-caliber stakes this Monday.
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