Excel Bomb and Richardisong Impress in Their Debuts at La Plata

Juveniles Take Center Stage in Premio Khaki Over 1000 Meters; One Shows Grit, the Other Class

Hit It a Bomb Adds Another Winner as Excel Bomb Scores on Debut / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

LA PLATA- Race days at La Plata continue to dwindle—not only in number of races run but also in field size. The trend reflects a deeper issue tied to the puzzlingly low purse structure, despite the track receiving the same allocation from the Fondo de Reparación as San Isidro. Once a strong competitor for horse supply in Argentina, the southern circuit has seen a sharp decline in participation, with top barns pulling out amid canceled programs and diminishing incentives.

This Tuesday’s card was limited to just 10 races, but there were still standout performances, most notably from Herd Immunity (Forge), who demolished the field in the Clásico México by 17 lengths. The day also featured a pair of promising 2-year-old debuts in the Premio Khaki, contested in two divisions over 1000 meters on a wet dirt track.

The opener saw Excel Bomb make a winning first impression. Bred by Haras Firmamento and racing for Stud Pochito, the Hit It a Bomb colt showed early speed and resilience, taking over at the top of the stretch and gamely holding off Roman Libanés (Roman Joy) by a head, with Garboso Frank (Gidu) just a half-length back in third. The final time was a sharp 1:00.97.

Trained by Maximiliano Quiroga and piloted by Elías Martínez, Excel Bomb is out of Excelsum (Orpen), a daughter of the champion Catch the Mad (Catcher In the Rye), adding another black-type family to his backstory.

The second division was less dramatic, as Richardisong (Emperor Richard) ran away from the favorite Lagrimero Pass(Distinctiv Passion) to score by 5 commanding lengths in 1:00.50. Owned by Stud El Rey S.A.O., trained by Gustavo Fabbian, and ridden by Juan Cruz Rivarola, the bay colt is out of Slipping Away (Sultry Song) and was bred by Axel Wachmaister.

Despite the reduced card, the total handle reached 234,191,029 pesos, a respectable figure considering the limited number of races offered. Still, the broader concern remains: without a purse adjustment and better support, La Plata may continue to lose ground in the national racing landscape.