General San Martín: Crazy Talent Gets Turf Rematch with Need You Tonight

The son of Equal Talent will look to complete the Campeonato de Oro Verde unbeaten as he welcomes back to the Palermo inner turf the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina and G2 Classic hero, whom he already defeated in the G2 Clásico Otoño

Crazy Talent, a True Model of Consistency / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

On the eve of the Guineas, racing fans will be treated to a G1 Gran Premio General San Martín (2400mT) that promises plenty of intrigue. The finale of the Campeonato Palermo de Oro Verde will see Crazy Talent (Equal Talent) square off once more with Need You Tonight (Hat Trick), two of the country’s leading older horses, while also serving as the local reference point to determine Argentina’s representative in next month’s G1 Gran Premio Latinoamericano at Gávea in Brazil.

The field may number only six, but four are already Group 1 winners. Crazy Talent will look to complete the series unbeaten after romping in both the G2 Clásico Chacabuco and G2 Clásico Comparación, the latter despite not being fully wound up. Representing Stud Aladino, he has long been a model of consistency between 2000 and 2400 meters, regardless of surface or conditions.

One of the few to have bested El Kodigo (Equal Stripes) at home, the bay tends to be in the thick of things from the start without necessarily needing the lead, but never concedes much ground.

His task becomes significantly tougher with the presence of dirt champion Need You Tonight, who has enjoyed a stellar season with victories in the G2 Clásico Otoño, G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, and G1 Estrellas Classic, in addition to finishing runner-up to Crazy Talent in the G1 Gran Premio de Honor. That latter result, along with his relative inexperience on turf, tilts preference toward his rival, though his morning moves over the Palermo inner course have been encouraging.

Acento Final (Treasure Beach), winner of the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club in 2024, is seeking a return to top form. After a third in the Classic and a second in the G2 Clásico Perú, he appears to be trending back in the right direction.

Also in the lineup is Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja), heroine of the G1 Gran Premio Gilberto Lerena over this same course before adding the G2 Clásico Ramón Biaus, and Oleguer (Equal Stripes), who will try to turn the tables on Crazy Talent after finishing a distant second to him in the Comparación.