Flying to the Sky and a Finish From Another Planet

The Chestnut Soared Late to Capture the APHARA H

Flying to the Sky, Widest of All, Gets Up Late / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The finish of Sunday’s Handicap APHARA (1200m, heavy dirt) at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo was one for the ages, as Flying to the Sky (Señor Candy), carrying 56 kilos for Stud Friends, came from nowhere in the final furlong to snatch victory right on the wire. With just 100 meters left to run, the chestnut was still invisible on the television shot, but unleashed a devastating rally down the center of the track to deny Approval Cat (Endorsement, 56) by a head.

Last from the break and content to trail for much of the journey under Eduardo Ortega Pavón, the Nicolás Martín Ferro trainee launched his charge only in deep stretch, overtaking a wall of rivals just as Approval Cat appeared to have the race secured. Early leader Atrevido Electric (Electricity, 59) and pace presser Ridge Prince (Strategic Prince, 53) faded late, while heavy favorite Sonreíme (Orpen, 60) failed to fire and trailed home last, a major disappointment.

For Flying to the Sky, bred by Haras de La Pomme, this was a fifth and career-best victory from 29 lifetime starts. The blanket finish saw the top six runners separated by less than three-quarters of a length, underscoring the intensity of the contest and the flair of the winner’s late theatrics.