From a storied family of champions, El Cobra Kai shone brightly over the mile in the Handicap Silurian

Bred by Haras Juan Antonio and descending from the female line of Ocenside and Oh Toss, the chestnut colt recorded his fifth career victory and now sets his sights on redemption at the upper level

El Cobra Kai surged past rivals down the outside in the stretch / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

In a clash between two horses returning from extended layoffs, it was El Cobra Kai (Cosmic Trigger, 57.5) who proved strongest late to capture Sunday’s featured Handicap Silurian going a mile on the dirt at Hipódromo de San Isidro.

Always well regarded and unraced since scoring in the Handicap Hipódromo La Punta last October, the chestnut runner for Stud Juan Antonio showed his trademark late kick to overhaul El Epecuen (Il Campione, 60), who for much of the stretch appeared on his way to victory.

Smartly piloted by Francisco Leandro, El Cobra Kai was kept off the honest early pace set by Treasure Runner(Treasure Beach, 55), who carved out fractions of :24.50, :46.70 and 1:10.97.

In the straight, El Epecuen moved up quickly to confront the leader, but never quite put him away. That was when the Brazilian rider asked El Cobra Kai for his run, and the response was immediate and sustained—sweeping by late to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Another 1 1/2 lengths back came Amigazo Sky (Falling Sky, 58.5), who closed well to take third from Treasure Runner, a half-length farther behind. The final time was a sharp 1:35.15.

Bred by Haras Juan Antonio, El Cobra Kai registered the fifth win of his career from 12 starts, and his third in a row.

Out of Old Dear (Southern Halo), he hails from one of Haras La Quebrada’s most storied female lines, responsible for G1 winners like Ocenside (Babor), Octante (Babor), Orca (Southern Halo), Onward (Oak Dancer), Oversea (Salt Marsh), Star Galan (Galán de Cine), Goleada (Señor Pete), Elvas (Catcher In the Rye), and Oh Toss (Egg Toss), among many others.

Now the question for El Cobra Kai is whether he’s ready to tackle stakes company—a stage where he still has something to prove.