El Ernesto: keeping the winning tradition alive.

Game and well-ridden by Kevin Méndez, he secured the Clásico Carlos Spegazzini over the sloppy La Plata strip

Rallying on the outside, El Ernesto turned back Vampiro Zen in the final strides / HLP

El Ernesto is the kind of horse that rarely disappoints, a competitor who consistently gives his all. The bay offered a fresh demonstration of his grit on a rainy Tuesday at La Plata, capturing the Clásico Carlos Spegazzini (1600 m) over a heavy track. The winner capitalized on a grueling pace that proved the undoing of the heavy favorite, Escape Room (Il Campione).

Jockey Kevin Méndez played a pivotal role in the outcome, showing great patience by allowing the favorite to duel early with Seek Wave (Seek Again). After those two exhausted themselves on the front end, Méndez steered El Ernesto toward the center of the track to launch his bid. In the closing stages, the winner dug in with determination to hold off an inside surge from Vampiro Zen (Zensational), who finished as the runner-up.

The early pace battle dictated the final order of finish. Escape Room, stretching out to the mile after a recent start over 1200 meters, needed to ration his energy; however, the persistent pressure from Seek Wave through the first half of the race took its toll, and the favorite tired at the top of the stretch.

It was at that point that El Ernesto surged to the lead, eventually prevailing by a half-head over a gallant Vampiro Zen. Escape Room finished 1 1/2 lengths back in third, while Seek Wave faded to finish a distant last. Notable non-runners included Storm Sound (Hi Happy) and Brasilero Francisco (Lizard Island).

Stopping the clock in 1m39s34/100, El Ernesto—a son of Señor Candy trained by Víctor Villanueva for the El Tata Viejo II stable—recorded his ninth career victory in 28 starts, confirming his status as one of the circuit's most honest and generous performers.