Fletcher Was All Business in Defeating Los Llanos in the Pedro Goenaga

The Juan Saldivia trainee delivered a polished performance to topple the division leader and stamp himself as a major player among La Plata's juvenile colts

LA PLATA.- The leadership among the juvenile colts racing at La Plata has changed hands.

Displaying plenty of authority, Fletcher made a powerful statement Thursday, defeating Los Llanos (Le Blues) with complete conviction to move to the top of the local rankings and establish himself as one of the most promising youngsters currently in training.

Making his first appearance at El Bosque, the representative of Stud Chos Malal—the colors carried in recent years by runners such as Cima de Areco (Cima de Triomphe) and Belleza de Arteaga (Cosmic Trigger)—validated the promise he had shown when graduating impressively over Palermo's dirt surface.

William Pereyra secured an ideal early position aboard the colt trained by Juan Saldivia, settling second behind El Pecadito (Cima de Triomphe) and just ahead of Los Llanos. The pacesetter, however, proved impossible to restrain, charging away under Miguel Sosa and fighting his rider almost all the way to the turn.

With El Pecadito's chances effectively compromised by his early exuberance, Fletcher moved alongside approaching the bend and quickly assumed command. Behind him, Gonzalo Borda attempted to keep Los Llanos within striking distance, but the effort would ultimately prove futile.

Once they straightened for home, the race was over.

Fletcher steadily increased his advantage and drew away without serious opposition, crossing the wire five lengthsclear of Los Llanos. Another four lengths back came Autorretrato (Angiolo), who turned in a highly encouraging effort after breaking poorly and spotting the field considerable ground before rallying strongly through the lane.

The final time of 1:30.70 was a solid one for the distance.

Bred by Haras La Pasión, Fletcher is part of the highly promising first crop of Gershwin (Distorted Humor), who now boasts two graded stakes-winning juveniles this season after Muy Macho Win captured the Clásico Santiago Luro (G2) at Palermo in March.

Fletcher is the fourth foal out of Fancy Kitty (Easing Along), a sister to stakes winners Fancy Cruz (Giacomo) and My Big Son (Malibu Moon); to graded stakes-placed runners Falcón Rojo (Lizard Island) and Faraón Keops (Easing Along); and to Fancy Yankee (Quiet American), the dam of Group 2 winner Fango Negro (Sidney's Candy).

For now, Fletcher has firmly planted his flag at La Plata.

Whether he remains in the city of diagonals or soon ventures into the more demanding selective races contested at Argentina's major tracks, Thursday's performance suggested that his ceiling may be considerably higher than the local division alone.