Fantoche Pass Scores in Especial Iniciación Following Private Purchase

Following a fifth-place effort in his Palermo debut six weeks ago, the son of Distinctiv Passion found the winner's circle for the first time at La Plata

Fantoche Pass Goes Wire-to-Wire in Especial Iniciación / HLP

LA PLATA, ARG – Following a change in ownership and a fifth-place debut effort on the Palermo straight six weeks ago, Fantoche Pass (Distinctiv Passion) took a significant step forward at El Bosque Tuesday. Dominating from the jump, the colt secured a comfortable victory in the Especial Iniciación (1000m, dirt), the season opener for 2-year-old males at this track. Formerly campaigned by El Alfalfar and now sporting the colors of Stud Octavio-Roman, the bay dictated terms from start to finish, repelling an early challenge from Sr Toco (Manipulator) before drawing clear in the stretch.

At the wire, Fantoche Pass held a 1 1/2-length advantage over El Brigadier (Mask), with heavy favorite Full Lujoso(Full Mast) another half-length back in third. The final time of 1:00.80—with early fractions of :23.84 and :47.82—indicated a strong, sustained pace throughout.

Trained by Javier A. Daluz and ridden by Kevin Banegas, Fantoche Pass becomes the latest juvenile winner for sire Distinctiv Passion (With Distinction), who stands at Haras El Alfalfar, the colt's birthplace. Out of Fantasy Zone (Easing Along), Fantoche Pass is a full-brother to Fantasioso Pass, one of the top juveniles of 2025. The latter’s resume included a victory in the Clásico Kemmis (G3), a runner-up finish in the Luro (G3), and third-place efforts in both the Crespo (G3) and Congreve (L) before being exported to the U.S., where he recently made his stateside debut.