El Emporio looks to keep his winning streak alive in the Clásico Otoño at Palermo against six rivals

In a day of maximum attraction, the son of Il Campione carries a 6-race winning streak and looks to keep growing

El Emporio is seeking his sixth consecutive victory at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Horse racing, like any sport, is at its best when high-quality races and top-tier horses are involved. It draws a crowd, generates momentum, keeps everyone engaged, and inspires fans to head to the track to experience high-caliber spectacles live.

Watching Deportivo Riestra vs. Barracas Central on TV is not the same as heading to the Cilindro de Avellaneda to enjoy a Racing-Independiente derby—to use a clear example.

When racing schedules in Argentina offer a surplus of low-level "alternative" categories, the response is predictable: no one goes to the track. However, when cards like this Saturday's at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo appear, the reaction is the opposite, with large crowds enjoying the high-level proposal.

The day features four graded stakes, led by the opening legs of the Campeonato de Oro: the Otoño (G2-2000m, dirt)and the Bullrich (G2-2000m, dirt), along with the latest juvenile challenges for 2-year-olds, the Santiago Luro (G2-1200m, dirt) for colts and the Saturnino J. Unzué (G2-1200m, dirt) for fillies.

While the juvenile races and the clash between Charm (Strategos) and Martana (Fortify) are covered separately, we turn our focus here to the Otoño, a key preparatory race for the Gran Premio de Honor (G1) and the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1).

The race carries an added attraction this year: it has been designated by Palermo authorities as the reference race to nominate their candidate for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1), to be held April 26th at Monterrico in Lima, Peru. It is somewhat striking that a dirt race was chosen to nominate for a turf event, and frankly, it feels unlikely that the eventual representative will emerge from this field of seven.

The heavy favorite is El Emporio (Il Campione), who has been unstoppable at Palermo with a streak of five consecutive stakes victories: the Carlos Gardel (L), Irineo Leguisamo (L), Mineral (L), Ayacucho (G3), and Haras Argentinos (G3). Ranging from 1800 to 2500 meters, he has shown overwhelming dominance.

However, this will be one of the toughest challenges of his career. He faces the colt Sono Perfetto (Tetaze), the top-ranked 2-year-old in La Plata in 2025 and recent winner of the Clásico Clausura (G2). Following a brief rest and showing increased maturity, the chestnut trained by Omar Labanca poses a serious threat to the favorite.

Also in the gates is the warrior Endor Rye (Endorsement). Though he finished behind El Emporio in the Ayacucho and Haras Argentinos, he boasts a second-place finish in the Estrellas Classic (G1) and a third in the Dardo Rocha (G1). Having finished second in the 2025 Otoño, he is back for redemption.

The G1 winner Unico Happy (Hi Happy) arrives with new colors and fresh momentum after winning a handicap at San Isidro, marking his return to the elite level. Meanwhile, the physically impressive Speedmaster (Fortify) steps up in class dreaming of an upset, as do Ruso Real (In the Dark) and Brasilero Francisco (Lizard Island).