The Son of Il Campione dominated the mile division for much of 2024, aiming to retain his title in the OSAF (G1)
A warm Saturday of racing awaits at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, featuring a solid 14-race program headlined by the unmissable Good Manners Stakes. Contested over a mile on dirt, the race serves as a stepping stone toward the prestigious Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1), open to 3-year-olds and up.
With just five runners confirmed, this could finally be El Exito’s moment to regain confidence and return to the winner's circle. A dominant force in the division during the first half of 2024, his form took a downturn following his significant victory on May 1.
After a break that followed a disappointing effort in the Mile (G1) on Estrellas Day, he returned to finish third in the Urbano de Iriondo (L) and second in the Invasor (G3), both on the turf at San Isidro. On Palermo’s dirt, however, the son of Il Campione has excelled, with three wins from four starts—a noteworthy statistic.
The chestnut runner for F. Enrique Stable will face Fiolo Boss (Holy Boss), El Despertar (Il Campione), My Stormy Dark (In the Dark), and Boyero Spring (Greenspring), all of whom bring respectable credentials to the table.
Fiolo Boss failed to fire in the Clásico Ahmad, but his record of six wins at the stakes level makes him a contender if he can bounce back to form.
My Stormy Dark enters off an unfortunate incident in the Clásico Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (L), where his jockey fell at the break. A winner at two against none other than Ever Daddy (Daddy Long Legs) and a stakes victor in the Clásico Cayetano S. Sauro, he has shown flashes of class but has yet to fully establish himself in top-level races.
El Despertar, meanwhile, is in excellent form, having captured the Reconquista (L), Ahmad, and the Handicap Sideral since mid-August, along with a third-place effort in the Handicap Advocate last out. His versatility across surfaces adds to his appeal.
Lastly, Boyero Spring has shown remarkable consistency in competitive company and will aim to surprise a field that, at least on paper, seems to hold an edge over him.
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