El Mero Jefe Headlines Another Celebration for the Provinces on Palermo’s Dirt

The Córdoba-based runner captured the Especial Provincias Unidas, while Rey de la Calle, Corre Caminos, Don Griego, and Sugar Miss also turned in standout performances

El Mero Jefe Drew Off with Authority Late in the Provincias Unidas / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Horses campaigning in Argentina’s interior enjoyed their signature annual celebration Sunday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, bringing color and character to the afternoon.

A steady parade of trailers and enthusiastic racing fans, combined with solid wagering for the traditionally quieter day of the week—total handle reached ARS 533,715,282—set the stage for El Mero Jefe (Remote–Rocking Nistel, by Van Nistelrooy; Rodolfo A. Alessandrini) to capture the Especial Provincias Unidas, the centerpiece of the card, contested over 1,800 meters.

In sharp form and expertly handled by Gustavo Quinteros, the gray made full use of his current condition to score a commanding victory, drawing off by four lengths from Ruidos de Igualdad (Long Island Sound), who had tracked the pace throughout.

Representing Stud El Arrabalero, El Mero Jefe was making his first appearance at the official level. Trained by Sergio Carezzana, he was sent off a heavy favorite and duly rewarded his backers, returning ARS 1.40.

Later on the program, the Especial Luis Bonetto, run over 1,400 meters on dirt for horses 3 and up, produced another emphatic winner in Don Griego (Long Island Sound–Grimoire, by Indygo Shiner; Haras San Benito), who maintained his unbeaten record at Palermo after having captured the Especial Special Reserve a month earlier.

In a competitive field of 14, Santino Gil delivered a textbook ride aboard the Stud Los Moure runner, allowing him to find his rhythm, save ground around the turn, and assert command as soon as they straightened. From there it was all one-way traffic, as Don Griego pulled clear to score by five lengths over favorite Storm Chuck (Chuck Berry) in 1:25.47. The colt is trained by Cecilia Rivero and appears to have a promising future.

The provincial specials opened with the first division of the Especial Encuentro Provincial Machos (1,000 meters), where Rey de la Calle (Che Micky–Azul Senda, by Lac Azur; Estela R. Pantaleón) kept his perfect official record intact, shining for the fourth time in this category.

The Stud Maciel runner from Azul was more dominant than ever, stretching clear early and accelerating decisively from the 500-meter mark to hit the wire eight lengths in front of Castelmezzano (Angiolo) in 58.15 seconds. Matías Muñiz was aboard for trainer Fernando Pérez, and the winner justified strong favoritism.

The second division went to Corre Caminos (Strategos–Avellanosa, by Angiolo; Haras El Paraíso), who turned the tables on Humor Negro (Humor Ácido), his conqueror in the Especial Mariano R. Cazeaux. This time, Humor Negro could not match strides late and settled for second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

Previously runner-up to Rey de la Calle in the Especial Bonita Furia, the Stud C.S.N.E. colt trained by Juan J. Egüenstopped the clock in a sharp 57.15 seconds, notably quicker than the opening division. Hugo Alegre was in the irons.

The card concluded with the Especial Encuentro Provincial Hembras (1,000 meters), where an upset was provided by Sugar Miss (Daniel Boone–Sugar Apple, by Pure Prize; Haras Santa María de Araras). Representing Stud El Chesco Viejo and trained by Alex G. Rodríguez, she prevailed by three lengths over Sin Marty (Sinigual) in 58.83 seconds, with Facundo De Maio aboard, delivering a successful first official victory.