Forli and Pippermint, headliners of a sensational program on the turf

Vundu and Thor Medina stand out in the first of those clashes; proven horses and others on the rise face off in the remainder

Vundu seeks a return to victory in the Clásico Forli / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

SAN ISIDRO, Buenos Aires (Special to Turf Diario).– A spectacular meeting has been prepared for this Saturday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, the kind that is an absolute pleasure to enjoy. With many 2-year-old races in the mix, the highlights will be provided by the Clásico Forli (G2-1800 m, turf) and the Clásico Pippermint (G2-1400 m, turf), both for 3-year-olds and upward and aiming towards the Carreras de las Estrellas series.

A highly attractive clash will take place in the first of those events, with Vundu (Suggestive Boy) looking to regain his best form after overcoming a layoff with a second-place finish behind Don Machete (Daddy Long Legs) in the Clásico Macon (L).

Winner of the Classic (G1) in 2024, and at the end of a campaign that suffered a couple of long interruptions due to injury, the son of Suggestive Boy possesses class in abundance, and now everything is in order to aim for the top spot once again.

In his path will be Thor Medina (Mootasadir), coming off a poor performance in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano(G1) at Monterrico in Peru, who also wants to return to his best level—the same that led him to win the Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz (G1), admittedly benefited by the subsequent disqualification of Full Keynote (Full Mast), whom he had tracked across the wire.

In the Pippermint, meanwhile, expectations are just as high within a field where options are plenty. G1 winners Bronx(Qué Vida Buena) and Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) appear on the list, the former returning after an absence of nearly a year, and the latter seeking to improve after two lackluster outings this season, in what will be his first start on the turf.

Particulado (Mask) overcame a physical issue and a lengthy layoff with a spectacular allowance victory at Palermo and is moving forward, while Escape Room (Il Campione) was second to Drive Joy (Fortify) in the Gran Premio de las Américas - OSAF (G1) at Palermo and is ready for revenge.

Stepping up from the allowance ranks with confidence are Don Griego (Long Island Sound) and Cosmic Stripes(Cosmic Trigger), while the class of El Gazpacho (Bodemeister) is well known. A tremendous race.