El Encinal returns in the United States aiming for a comeback

Il Campione’s son will run an allowance race this Sunday at Santa Anita Park after a very modest early campaign in the North; he faces a tough field

El Encinal worked mostly easy in preparation for his comeback/ BREEDERS' CUP

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).- After seven months, it’s time for the Argentine runner El Encinal to return to action on U.S. turf. Rested and much better acclimated, the 2023 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) winner will try to turn around his form after three underwhelming starts, somewhat rushed by circumstances.

Originally entered in the last Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) where he finished last, he had also faltered in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) and the California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes (G2), all attempts to regain his best form without success.

This Sunday, the son of Il Campione drops significantly in class, contesting the seventh race at Santa Anita Park—an $80,000 optional claiming allowance with $63,000 in added money—over 1800 meters on turf, the same conditions under which he won the Clásico Ensayo (G3) as a juvenile in San Isidro.

Breaking from post 4 and trained by Mike Puype, the chestnut owned by Stud Doña Pancha will see a jockey change, with Brazilian Tiago Josué Pereira replacing Panamanian Armando Ayuso, who had been in the irons.

El Encinal arrives at this spot following several 1000-meter works that haven’t dazzled on the clock, including his most recent drill clocked in 1:02.80.

The challenge won’t be easy for the South American contender, who will face, among others, English import Dicey Mo Chara (Adaay), fresh off a third-place finish in the Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2), with previous wins in the San Gabriel Stakes (G2) and other graded showings.

Also in the mix is Spycatcher (Noble Mission), coming off a layoff and promising to be competitive based on his runner-up effort in the 2022 Hollywood Derby (G1), despite a campaign interrupted by recurring physical issues.

Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Juan Hernández, Final Boss (American Pharoah) returned to finish fourth in the Sire Lure Stakes (L) and claimed the Cinema Stakes (L) at Santa Anita earlier this year.