Filippiada Returns to Ideal Conditions, but Faces a Tough Test in the Handicap

The daughter of Il Mercato will step out over seven furlongs on the dirt, facing several rivals loaded with credentials or high hopes

The racing wheel turns back to Hipódromo Palermo, where this Thursday awaits a modest card where quality isn't exactly the hallmark. Alternative categories and conditions for veteran runners with limited future prospects dominate the day at Avenida del Libertador and Dorrego.

Amidst this backdrop, the feature highlight will be provided by the Handicap Bernardo A., Adolfo P. y Aníbal J. Giovanetti, scheduled over 1400 meters on the dirt track and open to mares 4 years old and up, featuring a winner's purse of 8,000,000 pesos.

Returning to her preferred distance is Filippiada (Il Mercato), tasked with carrying the top weight of 59 kilos and reuniting with Gustavo Calvente, the jockey with whom she performs best. Winner over Sir Brave (Lencelot) in the Handicap Platería under the exact same conditions she faces today back in early June, she comes off a more than respectable fourth-place finish over the mile in the Clásico Inés Victorica Roca (G3), finishing just over 3 lengths behind International Look (Cosmic Trigger).

The mission won't be easy for the defender of Stud La Familia Ingalls, as she will cross paths with several rivals currently riding promising waves of form, such as Happy Star (Fortify, 57 1/2). The Haras Vacación homebred placed third in the Clásico Joaquín V. Maqueda (G3) at La Plata before finishing runner-up to Victoria Bayern (Santillano) in the Clásico Estrellas Dirt, meaning a victory on her part would come as a surprise to no one.

Another mare primed to shine at this level is Let Me Dance (Le Blues, 56), who arrives off two very strong stakes efforts against the formidable El Resero Con Capa (Angiolo), finishing quite close in one of them.

The La Plata visitor will likely share the trailer with Tac-Tac (Manipulator, 57), a veteran with vast experience on her side, even if she has displayed a bit of inconsistency lately. Coming off solid conditional wins, Alcala (Angiolo, 53) and Seaward (Hi Happy, 52) step up in class with high hopes, carrying featherweights that could work to their advantage...