G1 Gran Criterium, G1 Potrancas Set for May 25 Spotlight

To be run over a mile on the turf, they will be the only G1 events of the season at San Isidro for 2-year-olds

Drive Joy won the Chevalier and will target the Gran Criterium / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The G1 Gran Premio de Potrancas and G1 Gran Premio Gran Criterium, both run over a mile on the turf, will take center stage on the May 25 holiday card at San Isidro, offering the first—and only—top-level opportunities of the season for 2-year-olds on grass in Argentina.

Twelve fillies have been nominated to the Potrancas, while 15 colts appear as probable runners for the Gran Criterium. Each race will carry a total purse of 50,000,000 pesos, with 50% awarded to the winner.

Absent from the fillies' feature is Tiz Joy (Fortify), recent winner of the G2 Clásico Eliseo Ramírez, leaving the door open for a new star to emerge. The only fillies in the field with prior stakes wins are the undefeated Citana(Endorsement), who captured La Plata’s G3 Fortunato Damiani, and Plaza Athenee (Il Campione), a debut winner in the Clásico Juan S. Boucau.

Among those exiting the Ramírez are Charm (Strategos), runner-up by a half-length, and Gata Frank (Gidu), third, five lengths behind. Others under consideration include: Amour d’Ete (Sixties Song), Citadelle (Fortify), Invocación(Treasure Beach), La Banda (Fortify), My Pride (Daddy Long Legs), Orphila (Daniel Boone), Party Girl (Brz-Outstrip) and Sinfonía Latina (Señor Candy).

In the Gran Criterium, Drive Joy (Fortify) looms as the likely favorite following his emphatic win in the G2 Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier. He will be joined by stablemate Real Rim (Remote) in a strong entry from Haras Firmamento.

Adding depth to the field are a pair of Gidu colts from the Gran Muñeca stable: Alado Frank, winner of the G3 Pedro E. y Manuel A. Crespo, and Bolero Frank, successful in the G3 Asociación de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera. They could be accompanied by Full Keynote (Full Mast), who captured the Clásico Antártida Argentina (L) before finishing fourth in the Chevalier.

Others among the likely contenders include: The Great Wells (The Great Day), winner of the José B. Zubiaurre; Ardiendo (Remote), Es Por Amor (Strategos), Go Peter Go (Suggestive Boy), Hi Dolfi (Hi Happy), Liberto (Hurricane Cat), Phanton (Brz-Outstrip), Piñazo (John F Kennedy), Shanidar (Gouverneur Morris), and Tiempo de Estar(Strategos).