Forgging Cuts Back to a Mile in the Embrujo With an Eye on the Joaquín S. de Anchorena

The Ensayo winner looms large in Sunday’s feature; Out of the Blue returns to action in the Juan Esteban Bianchi Handicap

Forgging winning the Clásico Ensayo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

There will be no shortage of angles to follow Sunday at San Isidro, where an attractive programme is headlined by the Clásico Embrujo (Listed, 1600m, turf). The undercard offers further interest with the Handicap Juan Esteban Bianchi(2000m, turf), along with the first races for the 2023-born crop, featuring separate 800-meter turf dashes for colts and fillies.

After an unexpected setback in the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1)—where he was among the top choices—Forggingshortens up to the mile, the same distance over which he had stamped his authority in the Clásico Ensayo (G3).

The son of Forge, who will shoulder 54.5 kilos, figures to use his speed from the break as he looks to secure his ticket to next month’s Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1). The competition, however, runs deep, starting with Viejo Varieté (Qué Vida Buena, 56), the Haras El Ángel de Venecia representative who arrives in peak form after back-to-back wins in strong condition events—the latest over Exultant (Vagabundo Inc) by a measured length.

Another 3-year-old, Bay Max (Gouverneur Morris, 53), makes his second start on turf. He handled Have Fun (Fortify) with ease going a mile last out, and before that had been a credible fifth in the Martínez (G3) at Palermo. He shapes as a major danger.

The handicap will mark the return of the talented Brazilian-bred Out of the Blues (Drosselmeyer), who will carry top weight of 59 kilos. Racing for Stud RDI, he was last seen finishing third to Honest Boy (Heliostatic) in the Gran Premio de Mayo (G1), having previously dominated the Clásico Porteño (G3) with authority.

Trainer Carlos D. Etchechoury also saddles Llegó Bien (Señor Candy, 57) for Las Monjitas. The chestnut recently regained the winning thread in a condition race and had risen to prominence in the second half of 2024 when capturing the Clásico Ensayo.