Forty Fain came back in full force and is emerging as a contender over the middle distances at La Plata

The Guillermo Frenkel Santillán trainee returned from a 140-day layoff with a resounding victory in the Clásico Ignacio F. Correas, and now has his sights set on the G2 Joaquín V. González

Forty Fain made it all look easy in the final stretch/ HLP

LA PLATA.- A new name emerged Sunday in La Plata’s middle-distance division, setting sights on the big classics in the second half of the year, with the ultimate target the G2 Joaquín V. González on November 19.

With Paraná Miní (Winning Prize) absent, the northern raider Forty Fain faced little trouble returning from a 140-day layoff to capture the Clásico Ignacio F. Correas (1600 m) on good dirt. The race was scheduled just five days after the same-distance G2 25 de Mayo de 1810, a clear sign that the beloved yet declining eucalyptus trees do their job well—because the racing community is great...

Inactive for 140 days, the son of Fortify settled into a long gallop, progressing steadily while benefiting from the pace set by Mingo Dancer (In the Dark), who was under pressure for much of the trip from Edification (Il Campione).

When Edification started to fade in the final bend, the favorite advanced decisively, took command in the blink of an eye, and quickly pulled away to win by six lengths over Le Club (Le Blues), who came from the back to solidify his strong form.

A length further back, Hit It a Royal (Hit It a Bomb) completed the trifecta, edging out the early leader Mingo Dancer, who tired late. The final time was a solid 1:37.87, following consistent splits of 24.79, 48.10, and 1:12.76.

Prepared by Guillermo Frenkel Santillán at San Isidro’s Campo 2 for Stud A Lo Johnson, Forty Fain was ridden by Juan Cruz Villagra and bred by Haras Firmamento.

Following the G3-placed Atlantic Fine (Stormy Atlantic), herself a daughter of the much-missed Orpen Fain (Orpen), Forty Fain notched his sixth career win in just 13 starts, third at stakes level after wins in the handicaps Mangangá and Advocate.

Always well regarded, the bay has now become a stakes winner and looks poised to show his best form yet—if his health holds up.