Earth God, Colifato Novo, Concord and More Shine in Southern Halo

Strong Cast of Entries Assembled for San Isidro's Upcoming Sunday Feature

Colifato Novo recently returned from a layoff to finish second over 1000 meters at La Punta / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

While the spotlight of the upcoming week in Argentine racing will undoubtedly fall on the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1) program at Palermo, there’s no shortage of quality action elsewhere—particularly at San Isidro, where the G3 Clásico Southern Halo headlines Sunday’s card.

Slated for 1400 meters on the diagonal turf course and open to 4-year-olds and up, the Southern Halo has attracted no fewer than 15 likely contenders, shaping up as a top-level and engaging contest from start to finish.

Among the standouts is Tooru (Lizard Island), who will be seeking an unprecedented hat trick after winning the 2023 and 2024 renewals of the race. The gray faces a stiff challenge this time, possibly having to square off with Earth God(Cosmic Trigger), winner of the Gran Criterium (G1) and San Isidro (G1) last season and a potential returnee here.

Also nominated is Concord (Remote), last-out winner of the Clásico América (G2), along with Colifato Novo (Lenovo), the likely 2024 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt who recently made his seasonal debut with a runner-up finish over 1000 meters at La Punta.

Other notable entries include Don Latido (John F Kennedy), El Gazpacho (Bodemeister), Garufa Mask (Mask), Hit Rouge (Hit It a Bomb), Midnight Runner (Forge), Alberto de Mónaco (Hurricane Cat), Aroma Rim (Remote), Mr. Versace (Fortify), Río Felipín (Grand Reward), Señor Dan (Señor Candy), and What a Man (Mastercraftsman), rounding out what could be a formidable field.

Saturday’s feature at Palermo will be the Clásico España (L), a 1000-meter sprint on dirt for fillies and mares aged four and up under weight-for-age conditions.

With divisional stars like Lagoa Azul (Lenovo) targeting Thursday’s Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1), eight others will look to make their mark in the listed event. The confirmed lineup includes Jugadoraza (Winning Prize), Push Up (Bodemeister), Infi Fitz (Seattle Fitz), Enchanted Tales (Il Campione), Tormenta China (Malenchini), Eslovena (Il Campione), Valga La Pena (Fortify), and Una Felicidad (In the Dark).

At San Isidro, final declarations and riding assignments will be accepted until midday today.