Elenika returns to the Palermo turf, and the hope is to secure the Clásico Farnesio

Undefeated on the course, the daughter of Winning Prize faces Filippiada and several tough rivals in Friday's feature race

Elenika remains undefeated on the Palermo turf / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The entertaining meeting set for this Friday at Palermo will reach its boiling point with the Clásico Farnesio. Scheduled over 1400 meters on the inner turf course, the race is reserved for mares 4 years old and up under weight-for-age conditions.

An interesting field of seven participants will line up in the gates, featuring a central figure like Elenika (Winning Prize). A key reference in last year's La Plata select circle, she has been successfully redirecting her campaign toward the main stages.

On the San Isidro grass, she showed positive signs when finishing fourth to Fiesta Porteña (Fortify) in the Clásico Carlos P. Rodríguez (G2), and quickly confirmed that promise upon debuting on the very course she faces today, handing a defeat to the favorite and highly regarded Stormy Summer (Nicholas).

The Stud Hilda Juana color-bearer, who in her most recent outing finished third in the Clásico Lucio Taborda (G3) at the forest track, returns to a surface that suited her perfectly. She will face high-risk rivals, such as Filippiada, the card played by the Calvente duo—Héctor and Gustavo; trainer and jockey; father and son.

Winner of the Clásico Manuel J. Güiraldes (G3) during her first campaign, Filippiada is currently going through a period where she looks much like her early self. She has crossed the wire first in two of her last five appearances, including a clear victory over Rumba Feroz (Hurricane Cat) three weeks ago. The downside? She has never won on the turf.

Forti Leaf (Fortify) was a major contender at ages 2 and 3, winning the aforementioned Güiraldes in 2025, finishing second in the Polla de Potrancas (G2) at La Plata, and fifth in the Palermo equivalent. She recently returned to action under the care of Guillermo F. Santillán with a performance that left many disappointed, but she deserves another chance.

Reliable runners Frappe (Vástago Salvaje) and Look Happy (Hi Happy) test themselves in a quite difficult spot. Meanwhile, backed by two consecutive victories on the Palermo turf, Moon's Destiny (Orpen) will attempt to confirm her affinity for the surface.