Carrying the maximum weight of 59 kilos, Gonna Fly Now will face Gran Compañero again, against whom he has both won and lost
Unmissable is the Handicap Vitelio, the race that will kick off the featured doubleheader on Friday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, showcasing a group of seasoned sprinters who know exactly how to put on a show.
On paper, it’s a fairly even race, but there’s the matter of which kilos are considered assets for the gelding Gonna Fly Now (Key Deputy), who has been making a name for himself in the middle ranks of the division as he approaches to his seventh birthday.
With Gustavo Calvente in the saddle, the runner from the Doña Juanita stable made headlines just over a month ago under similar conditions to what he’ll face now, winning the Handicap Easing Along, as usual, taking the lead early in the race.
Also the winner of the Clásico Aristophanes, Gonna Fly Now has a solid record of seven wins, and the ideal draw in gate 1. He’ll face Gran Compañero (South Kissing, 57 ½), who seeks redemption after finishing sixth in the Handicap Easing Along.
Previously, the doradillo had won back-to-back Handicaps Utópico and Hunter’s Moon, in the latter defeating Gonna Fly Now, who finished third, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if history repeats itself, especially if the front-running tactics of the favorite are contested early on.
Many say the secret to handicaps lies in the middle of the weight scale, and that’s exactly where First Rimout (Remote, 56) stands. He comes off a dominant victory over Catchasyoucan (Catcher In the Rye, 55) and Time for Dancing(Hurricane Cat, 52) in an allowance race, both of whom he’ll face again here.
Cerrito Piñón (Manipulator, 57) is also running well. He finished third behind Gonna Fly Now in the Handicap Easing Along before coming fourth in the Clásico Jerry Honor, five lengths behind Lone Ranger (Le Blues) and just behind a respected figure in the division like Qué Ta Güeno (Qué Vida Buena).
Lastly, attention must be paid to Pride of Place (Cosmic Trigger, 54), a light contender with three consecutive wins and an outside post position.
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