Emmspacial Boy and Bichita de Luz Target Monday Handicaps

They Look Like the Ones to Beat in the Mangangá and Empeñosa Handicaps, to Be Run Over 1400 and 1200 Meters on Dirt, Respectively

Bichita de Luz Looks to Return to Winning Ways / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The racing wheel will turn again this Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, with a 14-race program highlighted by the Handicap Mangangá (1400 meters, dirt) and the Handicap Empeñosa (1200 meters, dirt), the former for horses five and up and the latter for fillies and mares aged four and older.

The Mangangá has drawn runners of strong background, led by Emmspacial Boy (Emmanuel), who shoulders topweight of 60 kilos and looks to keep his rebound going after a solid third in the Handicap Potrillazo behind Atomic Trigger(Cosmic Trigger) and Emergent (Il Campione).

Another in sharp form is Buen Curuzucuateño (Buen Verso, 56.5), who just missed when second to the aforementioned Emergent in the Handicap Silfo under nearly identical conditions.

Returning after 213 days is Salah Ad Din (Le Blues, 54), lightly raced but productive, who signed off with a gritty win over the local mile—Atomic Trigger finishing fourth that day—and looms as a major player if fit off the break.

Also in the mix are the classy El Despertar (Il Campione, 56.5) and Bar de Copas (Qué Vida Buena, 56), while Jardín del Poeta (Il Campione, 52.5) and Negador Serial (Violence, 52.5) complete the field.

The Empeñosa looks a wide-open affair as well. Carrying the heaviest impost of 60.5 kilos, and back at her preferred distance, Bichita de Luz (Fragotero) will try to get back on the winning track after finishing second to Blessed Shine(Honour Devil) in the Handicap Laguna Blanca over 1400 meters.

She will, however, face several capable opponents. Emely (Il Campione, 58), likely to be on or near the lead, was runner-up by four lengths in the Especial Taba, while Rollanda (Bodemeister, 53) returned from a layoff to score decisively against softer.

Another serious danger is Joy Traviesa (Fortify, 55), who was a close third to Guadilu (Señor Candy) in the Handicap Wally.