G1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo Loses Key Contender in Grezzo, Draws 10-Horse Field

Physical Setback Sidelines La Providencia’s Grezzo; Don Feres Strengthens His Case—Both Juvenile G1s Draw 11 Entries

Don Feres Emerges as Likely Favorite for G1 Gran Premio 25 de Mayo / JCP

The Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1, 2400m, turf), the second-most important race of the season for older horses at Hipódromo de San Isidro, will feature a field of 10 following Monday’s scratches—and anticipation continues to grow.

Three names came off the original list, most notably Grezzo (Hi Happy), the promising colt from Haras La Providencia, who was considered one of the pre-race favorites after back-to-back wins in the G3 Clásico Botafogoand the G1 Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz.

Speaking with Turf Diario, Oscar López, manager of La Providencia, explained the decision to withdraw the chestnut: “He had a minor physical issue. The track won’t be in good shape due to the heavy rainfall, and there’s more rain in the forecast for the weekend. We didn’t want to take unnecessary risks. We haven’t made any future plans yet—we’ll evaluate things in the coming days.”

With Grezzo out, Peruvian star Don Feres (Singe the Turf) steps into the spotlight. Based in Argentina for several weeks, he will make his third local appearance, having finished second in the 2023 G1 Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano and third in the most recent G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, both over this same course. As previously announced, Martín Valle will have the mount.

The 25 de Mayo, to be run this Sunday, will be accompanied by the G1 Gran Premio de Potrancas and the G1 Gran Criterium, both contested over 1600 meters on turf for 2-year-olds, and offers a purse of 70,000,000 pesos, with 35,000,000 to the winner.

Joining Don Feres in the gate are Acento Final (Treasure Beach), winner of the 2024 G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club; Brazilian raider Out of the Blue (Drosselmeyer), fresh off a win in the G3 Clásico Porteño; and longshot Endo Verde(Endorsement), surprise victor of the G3 Gran Premio Vicente Dupuy at La Punta.

Also entered are El Pulque (Heliostatic), runner-up in the Porteño; Honest Boy (Heliostatic), second to Acento Final in the Jockey Club and to Grezzo in the Martínez de Hoz; the lone mare Knows All (Le Blues); and Touch the Stars(Fortify), runner-up to Full Keid (Full Mast) in last year’s edition of this same race.

The post position draw is scheduled for Tuesday.

Juvenile G1s Set with 11 Entries Each

As mentioned, Sunday’s marquee card also includes the G1 Gran Premio de Potrancas and the G1 Gran Criterium, the season’s only Group 1 events on turf for 2-year-olds.

With Invocación (Treasure Beach) withdrawn, 11 fillies will line up in the Potrancas. Absent is Tiz Joy (Fortify), winner of the G2 Clásico Eliseo Ramírez just weeks ago.

Undefeated stakes winners Citana (Endorsement), heroine of La Plata’s G3 Clásico Fortunato Damiani, and Plaza Athenee (Il Campione), who took the Clásico Juan S. Boucau, headline the field, along with Charm (Strategos) and Gata Frank (Gidu), the respective second- and third-place finishers behind Tiz Joy in the Ramírez.

Rounding out the field are: Amour d'Ete (Sixties Song), Citadelle (Fortify), La Banda (Fortify), My Pride (Daddy Long Legs), Orphila (Daniel Boone), Party Girl (Brz, Outstrip) and Sinfonía Latina (Señor Candy).

The Gran Criterium features Drive Joy (Fortify), dominant winner of the G2 Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier, leading a Firmamento duo completed by Real Rim (Remote). They’ll meet Alado Frank (Gidu), who captured the G3 Clásico Crespo at Palermo, and Full Keynote (Full Mast), victor in the Listed Clásico Antártida Argentina and fourth in the Chevalier.

Completing the lineup are: The Great Wells (The Great Day), winner of the José B. Zubiaurre; Ardiendo (Remote); Es Por Amor (Strategos); Go Peter Go (Suggestive Boy); Phanton (Brz, Outstrip); Piñazo (John F Kennedy); and Tiempo de Estar (Strategos).