Envidioso Frank faces graded stakes winners in the Especial Haras Vadarkblar

Fresh off a third-place effort in Palermo's Clásico Japón (L), he locks horns with Don Zahir, Liberto, and Norte, among other formidable rivals

LA PLATA—Argentine racing has devolved into a showcase of mediocre cards, barely punctuated by an occasional decent feature. Following lackluster programs at Palermo and San Isidro, it is now the Bosque track's turn to offer a bargain-basement card, driving the sport further into the ground.

At some point, racing executives will have to answer for the damage done to a sport whose decades-built prestige has been gutted in just a few short years—to say nothing of a shrinking industry crushed by cellar-bottom purses...

Amid the 11 races on tap this Thursday, the Especial Haras Vadarkblar (1,400m, dirt) for 4-year-olds and up with three or more wins stands out as the lone feature. Fortunately, it should offer a brief respite from an otherwise uninspiring program.

The spot looks ideal for Envidioso Frank (Gidu) to return to the winner's circle, capitalizing on his favorable featherweight assignment of 52 kilos. The Marcelo Sueldo trainee, racing for Stud Pauli, enters fresh off a third-place effort—just 1 1/2 lengths behind Talented Hit (Hit It a Bomb)—in Palermo's Clásico Japón (L) on the turf, crossing the wire ahead of Kopke (Hi Happy), who recently scored in the Clásico República Federativa del Brasil (G3).

Standing in his path is the formidable Don Zahir (Daddy Long Legs, 54), winner of the Clásico Good Manners, who last time out finished second to Tiffony Mo (El Moisés) in the Clásico Gendarmería Nacional Argentina. It is worth recalling that the Stud El Basti runner finished second over this strip to El Ernesto (Señor Candy) in the Clásico 25 de Mayo (G2). If he secures the early lead, he will prove tough to haul in.

Another class entry is Liberto (Hurricane Cat, 54), who recently rebounded with a victory in a local condition race following a long drought. His proven back class includes a victory in last season's Clásico Old Man (G3), as well as runner-up finishes in both the Gran Premio Montevideo (G1) and the Clásico Miguel Cané (G2).

Not far behind on paper sits Norte (Leofric), who returns to the track where he captured the Clásico Fortunato Novara(G3) following a layoff of just over five months.