Fuurin completed the perfect circle for Juan Saldivia
The daughter of Cima de Triomphe made the jump from allowance ranks to defeat Risk Free by a half-neck in the Clásico Federico de Alvear (G2), a key prep for the Gran Premio Enrique Acebal (G1); William Pereyra proved decisive once again
There are stories that seem scripted in advance. Fuurin, the filly whose positive test triggered the one-month suspension that kept Juan Saldivia off the official program during the victories of Fletcher (Gershwin) and Look At To Me (Dabster) in the Palermo Pollas, was one of those responsible for celebrating his official return. And not with just any win: the gray filly claimed the Clásico Federico de Alvear (G2-1800m, turf), a direct stepping stone toward the Gran Premio Enrique Acebal (G1).
Saldivia returned to the race cards as trainer this Saturday at San Isidro and marked the occasion by securing a double. The high point arrived with that very same Fuurin, who had been at the center of such an uncomfortable and costly situation. A huge paradox, capable of bringing the story full circle in just a matter of minutes.
The daughter of Cima de Triomphe bred at La Leyenda was coming off a maiden victory and needed to confirm in stakes company the promise she had hinted at. She did so with a performance that also made clear how much longer distances and turf suit her—two elements stamped onto a pedigree featuring Pivotal as maternal grandsire that invites high hopes as the trips stretch out.
Ruby Rose (Il Campione), the heavy favorite, provided a slight surprise on the lead. The Stud RDI representative set a steady tempo up front and reached the home stretch with reserves intact, while Fuurin settled into stride, waiting for William Pereyra to ask for her true effort.
The gray filly's surge was not an explosive turn of foot, but rather a sustained, grinding drive that gained momentum stride after stride. Pereyra set her up with patience, and once he got her balanced, Fuurin began to whittle down the margin. She caught and passed Ruby Rose with 200 meters remaining, but still needed to stave off the closing charge of Risk Free (Outstrip), the other RDI contender.
The Brazilian-bred filly came at her with resolve, and for a few moments it appeared she might get past. Fuurin, however, dug in, responded to every demand from her rider, and kept a half-neck advantage as they crossed the line. A further 2 1/2 lengths back, Oasis Moon (Dabster) rounded out the frame, securing a 1-3 finish for Saldivia, while Ruby Rose failed to hold her position up front and faded to finish sixth in the seven-horse field.
The winning time of 1m49s70/100 was solid over a normal turf course, albeit with the rail out. It provided yet another showcase of the stellar form enjoyed by the team of Saldivia and Pereyra, who had also starred with Hand In Hand(Il Campione) in Friday's Martínez (G3) at Palermo, alongside the aforementioned victories of Fletcher and Look At To Me.
Fuurin entered the Alvear off a simple allowance win and left firmly established among the top turf fillies. The next test will be the Enrique Acebal, a race Saldivia knows intimately, having won it previously with another daughter of Cima de Triomphe, Cima de Areco, who was later exported to Japan.
Based on form, pedigree, and progression, Fuurin looks to have all the tools to keep building on her record. And after an afternoon loaded with symbolism, it also became obvious that her story with Juan Saldivia has plenty of chapters left to be written...
Comments