Filling the racing program with low-level conditional alternatives while slashing purses by half came with a heavy, unavoidable price
- Turf Diario
- hace 3 horas
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La Plata Racecourse saw dismal entries on Friday for its next three meetings, reopening all carded races
The misguided policy of stacking nearly half of July’s racing schedule with low-level alternative conditions—slashing purse values for those events by more than half—has extracted a heavy and predictable toll on the seaside oval.
The widespread rejection of this administrative measure by local owners and horsemen was laid bare on Friday afternoon during a dismal entry session for the upcoming fixtures scheduled for Sunday, July 5, Tuesday, July 7, and Thursday, July 9. Multiple conditions on the program currently teeter on the brink of cancellation, running the risk of being drawn with fields of just four or five runners—a scenario that was virtually unprecedented at the venue until recently. While track officials opted to reopen all entry slots in a desperate attempt to salvage the cards, it remains highly doubtful that the extension will attract the necessary volume of horses.
The backstretch has already staged an active exodus. Local La Plata trainers are increasingly bypassing their home track to enter horses at Palermo and San Isidro; despite facing significantly stiffer athletic competition at the major Buenos Aires tracks, they are choosing to run for well over double the prize money available at the Bosque.
Despite the operational turmoil, the week's schedule does feature several black-type fixtures, spearheaded on Sunday by the Clásico Isidoro Aramburu (G3) over 1,600 meters on the dirt, which serves as the traditional sophomore stepping stone toward the local Triple Crown. Offering a paltry winner's share of just 9,210,000 pesos before standard deductions, the race attracted nine preliminary entries. The contingent is led by Los Llanos (Le Blues), who looks to return to winning ways after suffering a defeat at the hands of Fletcher (Gershwin) in the Clásico Pedro Goenaga (G2).
The remaining prospective field includes: El Volka (Vekoma), Fuego Imponente (Seahenge), Jorginho (Seek Again),Montaldo (Uncle Chuck), Sarraceno (Daddy Long Legs), and Teobaldo (Uncle Chuck), while El Pirata (Il Campione) and Take One (Japan) have been entered on a conditional status.
For the Thursday, July 9 holiday card, the track scheduled the Clásico 9 de Julio - Día de la Independencia (G3) over 1,600 meters on the main track, a weight-for-age contest for three-year-olds and upward. A large group of 17 prospective entrants features several proven stakes operators, including Campo Verde (Strategos), Don Zahir (Daddy Long Legs), El Ernesto (Señor Candy), Sabiyano (Fortify), Storm Sound (Hi Happy), and Liberto (Hurricane Cat).
The initial list of nominations is rounded out by: Bombay Lake (Anjiz Lake), Colour Visión (Univisión), El Gran Star (Grand Reward), Ivanel (Pataqués), Lauren Nak (Anak Nakal), Preludio Lento (Daddy Long Legs), Purple Nich (Nicholas), Rodo (Flowing Rye), Springbreak (Smart Holiday), Vampiro Zen (Zensational), and Viejito Edition (Equal Edition).
Meanwhile, the Tuesday, July 7 program centers on the Clásico Club Hípico de Tandil (L) over 1,100 meters, a sprint restricted to three-year-old colts that managed to draw a meager list of just seven nominees: Arc Village (Angiolo),Beach Stars (Treasure Beach), Miguelito Vic (Mask), Mister Market (Market Rally), Qué Vida Dura (Qué Vida Buena),Xeraco (Puerto Escondido), and Sunny Thunder (Dubai Thunder).
Final scratch time and horsemen ratifications are scheduled for Monday morning at 11:00 a.m., with the official overnight sheets and finalized cards to be released later that afternoon.
