From the Rail with Authority: Campo Verde Seals His Triumph Down the Palermo Straight

The Miguel Cafere Trainee Rebounds from Two Losses with a Brilliant Front-Running Victory in the G3 Junior Sprint

Campo Verde Proves Unstoppable Down Palermo’s Straight / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

There were plenty of scores to settle for Campo Verde on Saturday, and the colt did so in style when springing an upset in the Clásico Estrellas Junior Sprint (G3, 1000m, dirt, ARS 24,000,000 to the winner), the first graded event of the Estrellas day card at Palermo.

Previously third behind Lindo Tono Pass (Distinctiv Passion) and La Bella Otero (Daddy Long Legs) in the Clásicos Velocidad (G3) and General Lavalle (G3), respectively—following a winning debut over 1100 meters on San Isidro’s inner track—the son of the formidable Strategos (Zensational) took a significant step forward here, stamping himself as the fastest juvenile of his generation.

Drawn awkwardly in post 1, Campo Verde was unfazed, showing tactical speed right from the break. While not on the lead early, he tracked closely behind Sarzana Pass (Distinctiv Passion), who, as expected, set the pace.

Approaching the 700-meter mark, jockey Juan Cruz Villagra angled Campo Verde into the clear down the center of the track, and from there, the colt began to turn the screws on his rivals. By the time they hit the final 400 meters, he took command with ease and drew away comfortably.

At the wire, Campo Verde was 2 1/2 lengths clear of Lindo Tono Pass—who had previously beaten him at San Isidro—with Sarzana Pass another 2 1/2 lengths back in third. Final time was a sharp :56.65 after fractions of :22.60 and :44.45.

Bred by Haras El Paraíso and racing for Caballeriza Mamina, Campo Verde boasts a strong speed-oriented pedigree rooted in Haras Los Olivos. His dam, Sinalina (Sebi Halo), was a graded winner herself down Palermo’s straight and has also produced El Sinsacate (Il Campione), winner of the Clásico Lord At War (L), as well as G1-placed Erase Una Vez (Il Campione).

Sinalina is also a half-sister to the notable Lawson (Le Blues), winner of the G2 Chevalier Stakes a few seasons ago.