Eleven Mile Out for Redemption in Competitive, Demanding Handicap Fitzcarraldo

The Il Campione filly will take center stage on Friday at San Isidro, facing tough rivals such as Enjoy Dancing and Cold Mind

Eleven Mile captured the Clásico La Troienne over the turf at San Isidro / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The best racing of the week at Hipódromo de San Isidro is set for Friday, with a 14-race card that includes several juvenile contests and a main feature in the form of the Hándicap Fitzcarraldo. Scheduled over 1000 meters on the turf—barring any late change of surface—the race honors the brilliant Cipayo colt who became a prolific stallion from his base at Haras Firmamento.

Despite the prestigious name, the purse remains disappointingly low at just ARS 5,240,000, reflecting the lack of prize money increases in recent months. Only five fillies and mares aged 3 to 5 will line up, but the contest shapes up as a tightly matched and intriguing affair.

Topweight Eleven Mile (Il Campione), carrying 59.5 kilos, looks to rebound after a fourth-place finish just 12 days ago in the G3 Clásico República de Panamá at Palermo. Previously victorious in the Hándicap Con Brío and fourth in the G1 Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires, the Los del Vallenses colorbearer also owns a turf stakes win at San Isidro—the Clásico La Troienne last November—suggesting the return to grass won’t be an issue.

She’ll have to deal with the consistent and dangerous Enjoy Dancing (Hi Happy, 59 kilos), who ran third against males last out in the G2 Clásico Santiago Lawrie after a flat effort in the Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Already a stakes winner in similar conditions—having taken both the Clásico Islas Malvinas (L) and the Clásico Olavarría (G3)—she demands serious respect.

Adding further intrigue is Cold Mind (Lucullan, 55 kilos), who finished fourth in her comeback race at Palermo, a track that never quite suited her. Now returning to the same surface and trip where she captured the Clásico Velocidad (G3), she’s a live threat with improvement expected second off the layoff.

Also in the mix are Lindaflor La Violeta (Most Improved, 56 kilos), who boasts a series of strong efforts on her résumé, and Forever Rim (Remote, 54.5 kilos), hoping to recapture the promise of her early career.

Small in numbers but rich in storylines, the Hándicap Fitzcarraldo should offer a sharp and competitive dash down the San Isidro straight.