El Exito steps up to 1800 meters and could now target the Clásico Perú

The best miler on Palermo’s dirt is one of the 11 entries for Friday’s big race at the center

El Exito doesn’t want to leave the path of success / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

While the main focus this week will be at the Hipódromo de San Isidro, where a new edition of the Gran Premio 2000 Guineas (G1) will be held on Saturday, the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo will also offer reasons to pay attention to its action.

Next Monday, the always significant Clásico Perú (G2) will be contested over its traditional 1800 meters, open to horses aged 4 and older under a weight-for-age scale, where El Exito, the country’s top miler on dirt, is expected to return to the track. The son of Il Campione carries an impressive winning streak and will now step up in distance, coming off victories in the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1) and Estrellas Mile (G1).

Trained by José Cristóbal Blanco, El Exito faces an interesting challenge and could meet rivals such as Holy Holy Rim (Remote), the G1 winner Acento Final (Treasure Beach), and multiple graded stakes winner Storm Sound (Hi Happy).

The list of 11 entries is completed by: Bonita Feli (Southern Cat), Descamisado (Cosmic Trigger), Jardín Secreto (Il Campione), Santo Sermón (Treasure Beach), Tiznow Forever (Midshipman), Twitch Hurricane (Hurricane Cat), and Vota Bien (Hi Happy).

The Palermo track will also open its doors on Friday the 25th for the Hyperion Handicap (1000 m, dirt) and the Bernardo, Adolfo P. & Aníbal J. Giovanetti Handicap (1400 m, dirt), both for winning fillies aged 4 and up.

In the first of these races, the top weight of 58 kilos will be carried by Lissette Island (Lizard Island), who is expected to face: Bayonne (Puerto Escondido, 57), Estadía (Il Campione, 52), Increpante (Sigfrid, 52), La Asturiana Blue (Le Blues, 56 ½), Realizada Cat (Hurricane Cat, 57), Saya Linda (Legión de Honor, 52), and Tormenta China (Malenchini, 57).

Meanwhile, in the Giovanetti Handicap, Farika (Bodemeister) will shoulder the top weight of 61 ½ kilos. Also entered are: Ataka (Señor Candy, 60), Bichita de Luz (Fragotero, 59), Bonita Feli (50), Causeway Girl (Dabster, 59), Hi Chasty (Hi Happy, 55 ½), Increpante (53), Jalimba (Señor Candy, 56), Orpen Rimout (Remote, 56 ½), Pecadora Joy (Fortify, 58 ½), Reina Mirta (Mask, 53 ½), Rumba Feroz (Hurricane Cat, 52), and South Briole (South Kissing, 51 ½).