Earth and Fire struck the right note in conditional company on another typical Wednesday card

The son of Cosmic Trigger returned from just over three months on the sidelines to register his sixth career victory

Fine Lines bounced back to form to secure her first career victory at three / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

As is often the case on a Wednesday, quality was not the highlight at San Isidro, where a 13-race program generated handle of AR$383,263,424, averaging AR$29,481,801—slightly below recent figures that had shown modest improvement.

The feature came in the Lady Ling, a 1200-meter dirt test for 6-year-olds and up with at least three prior wins. Carrying near top weight of 56 kilos, returning from more than three months on the sidelines, and sent off the favorite, Earth and Fire (Cosmic Trigger–Earthshine, by Pure Prize), bred by Haras Abolengo, proved much the best. The Stud May-Clau runner drew 2 lengths clear of Django (Remote), to whom he conceded 5 kilos, stopping the clock in a sharp 1:09.46.

Trained at Palermo by María F. Alvarez and Wálter Suarez, Earth and Fire was notching his sixth win in 16 starts, a résumé that also includes the Listed Clásico Latency in December 2024.

The day also featured several races for 3-year-olds in optional claiming company, beginning with the Premio Mac Toss (1100m, dirt) for maiden fillies. There, Muy Feliz (Hi Happy–Montesana Rye, by Catcher In the Rye), bred and owned by Sergio O. Savi, fought through the lane before drawing off to a 3-length victory over debutante Coca Sureña (South Kissing). With apprentice Maximiliano Machado aboard, the Omar Labanca trainee covered the distance in 1:05.28, and later survived an inquiry.

The division saw Fine Lines (Forge–Chorister Rye, by Catcher In the Rye), bred by Haras Chenaut, bounce back from three lackluster efforts to graduate by 2 1/2 lengths over Apasionada Joy (Roman Joy). With Francisco Leandro in the irons, the Emanuel Sala trainee completed the trip in 1:05.70.

Among professionals, jockeys Kevin Banegas (Intratable Stripes, Earth and Fire and Notingham) and apprentice Maximiliano Machado (Muy Feliz, Tormenta Pasajera and Distinta Craf) each posted riding triples, while trainer José Lofiego doubled up with Tormenta Pasajera and Love Sound.

On the stallion front, both Hurricane Cat (Storm Cat) and Cosmic Trigger (Lizard Island) celebrated doubles on the card.