Encantador Pass returns to San Isidro and appears to have the Handicap Phoenix within reach

The Stud Pauli colt, a double stakes winner in La Plata, will carry 57 1/2 kilos against just 4 opponents on the dirt

Encantador Pass brings two stakes victories from La Plata to the table / HLP

Another weak Wednesday meeting is expected at the Hipódromo de San Isidro, at a time when quality racing on the country's main tracks has become merely occasional. On the contrary, cheap races are overabundant and boring; they sap the enthusiasm of owners and offer no attraction for those looking to enjoy the sport.

One of the collateral damages of the permanent cancellation of races for high-quality horses is that the feature events are seeing only 4 or 5 confirmed names, as is the case with this afternoon's Handicap Phoenix.

It is becoming difficult to gather participants for stakes races, but when a 1,200-meter race for horses 3 years old and up has only 5 confirmed runners, it is a significant data point. Short programs, fewer runners, and a diminished presence from the provinces—due to extremely high costs—form a lethal combo that is damaging the racing economy and causing handles to drop. If racing continues to be mostly for miserable purses, the situation, far from changing, will only worsen.

The occasion looks favorable for the colt Encantador Pass to continue his upward trajectory, which has seen him star in several stakes races in La Plata. The son of Distinctiv Passion will carry 57 1/2 kilos, one of the top weights, and his trophies include the Jockey Club de Azul (L) and the Benito Lynch (L). He also finished second in the Ciudad de Berisso and the Emilio Casares (L) in his last appearance, behind El Resero Con Capa (Angiolo).

Breaking from post 1 will be The Great Jazz (The Great Day, 55), who is aiming for the "Trébol" (which would earn him a 50 percent purse bonus) after winning a pair of consecutive conditional races in the alternative optional category.

Both Mario's Rim (Remote, 55) and Río Felipin (Grand Reward, 57 1/2) have good experience, but they are going through a rather irregular patch and sit a step below.

The field is completed by Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero, 59 1/2), who did not run well on Monday at Palermo, leaving doubts as to whether he will ultimately be part of the starting lineup.