Escape Room Returns to Palermo Seeking to Regain His Finest Form

The son of Il Campione, runner-up to Drive Joy in the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1), looms as one of the standout figures in the Handicap Domingo Elías Pascual over 1400 meters, where Tiffany Mo, Moderno, and Black Stripes emerge as dangerous rivals

The return of Escape Room to the dirt track at Palermo will be one of the major attractions of Monday's card, which promises a highly entertaining afternoon featuring the Handicap Domingo Elías Pascual (1400 m) as the first of two main feature races on the day. Reserved for 4-year-olds and up, the contest attracted a field with strong credentials, including several runners capable of taking the victory.

Escape Room (59 kg) returns to a surface where he left an excellent impression in his last appearance on the track, finishing second behind Drive Joy (Fortify) in the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1)—a performance that elevated him into the upper ranks of the country's mile division. Since then, his campaign continued at La Plata, where he captured the Haras La Providencia and the Especial Cóndor Cal, as well as the Clásico Onesto Puente (L).

However, his most recent start left a bitter taste after falling by a nose to Colour Visión (Univisión) in the Especial Libreo, despite going off as the heavy $1.10 favorite. Now, he will seek redemption on a track he knows intimately and over a distance that could prove ideal.

It will not be an easy assignment, particularly with the presence of Tiffany Mo (El Moisés, 60 1/2), who carries the top weight and arrives with more than enough credentials to challenge for top honors. The horse had strung together five consecutive wins—including the Clásico Adolfo P. Giovanetti y Aníbal J. Giovanetti and the Clásico Juan Carlos Etchechoury—before the winning streak was snapped when stretching out to the mile for the first time in the Clásico Ecuador (G2).

Back over one-turn distances, Tiffany Mo quickly rebounded to his best form, finishing second by just a half-head to Quemetomo (Equal Talent) in the Handicap Mesa Alvear, carrying a demanding 61 kilos while setting the pace almost all the way to the wire. Toting half a kilo less this time, he stands out as a candidate commanding immense respect.

A particularly intriguing alternative is Moderno (Seahenge, 55), trained by Guillermo Frenkel Santillán, who is enjoying a formidable run of form with his stable. He enters off a 3/4-length victory over Lochness (Le Ken, 54) in a highly competitive allowance contest, displaying grit and sharpness that suggest another potential move up in class. Lochness himself will also be in the starting gate, seeking revenge.

The most compelling wildcard is Black Stripes (Equal Stripes, 54 1/2), who returns from a layoff of nearly a year. Winner of the Especial Furious Key at La Plata and always regarded as a horse of high quality, he went off the radar after finishing last in the Clásico Joaquín V. González (G2). If he retains a fraction of his talent, his light featherweight assignment could turn him into a dangerous upset candidate.

It is also wise not to overlook Aroma Rim (Remote, 56 1/2), fourth recently in the Clásico New Dandy, nor Happy Moon (Hi Happy, 51 1/2), who finished third in the Handicap APHARA, albeit well behind the dominant Lonely Boy (Remote). The field of contenders is rounded out by Vampiro Zen (Zensational, 57 1/2), a stakes winner with sufficient background not to be taken lightly.

With Escape Room seeking to rediscover his top form, Tiffany Mo eager to assert his early speed, and a capable supporting cast ready to capitalize on any missteps by the favorites, the Handicap Domingo Elías Pascual has all the ingredients to serve as a major highlight of the Buenos Aires card.