Gran Premio Martínez de Hoz: Crazy Talent seeks to become the heir

The son of Equal Talent returns to action after his brilliant performance in the Pellegrini and takes on seven tough rivals

Crazy Talent was one of two horses who beat El Kodigo in 2024 / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

The time has come. Argentina’s big racing season kicks off today, hoping to find solutions to its current challenges—most notably, securing the support of a government that, despite promises, has done little to stand by the racing industry. Hardly a surprise, of course; in politics, it’s all about votes—nothing more.

There have been some positive developments, such as the release of funds to pay prize money, the introduction of digital wallets for betting, and—hopefully—the long-awaited agreement to launch online wagering, commingling, and other tools that could help the sport gain traction.

Though these measures are presented as revolutionary, they’ve been standard practice around the world for two decades. That’s how far behind we are—yet those unfamiliar with racing think they’re landing on the moon.

Still, amid this sea of challenges, the horses and their people keep moving forward. And this Saturday offers a card not to be missed, highlighted by the year’s first G1: the Gran Premio Miguel A. Martínez de Hoz.

The 2000-meter feature won’t stand alone, as the program also includes the mile-long Clásico Horacio Bustillo (G2) and the Clásico Omnium (L) over 1400 meters, plus several promising allowance races.

The main event is set to go off around 7:25 p.m., with a field of eight set to clash. Notably absent are Intense for Me (Fortify) and El Kodigo (Equal Stripes)—the one-two finishers from December’s Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1)—who are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, preparing to contest next weekend’s Saudi Cup (G1), the world’s richest race.

With the top two stars on other missions, the local distance division will begin to reshape its hierarchy. Leading the charge is Crazy Talent, a horse who lives up to his name and enjoyed a stellar 2024 campaign.

A son of Equal Talent, trained by Miguel Suárez for Stud Aladino, Crazy Talent is one of only two horses who managed to defeat El Kodigo last year, outfinishing him in the Clásico Comparación (G2) on Palermo’s turf.

Although he later finished second to his rival in the Gran Premio General San Martín (G1) and runner-up to Treasure Island (Treasure Beach) in the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1), he capped his season with a strong fourth in the Pellegrini, fighting to the wire.

This time, Crazy Talent faces a formidable duo from trainer Nicolás Martín Ferro. One is Acento Final (Treasure Beach), a talented colt who won the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) but underperformed in La Gran Final, seeking redemption here. Ferro also sends out Epityrum (Portal del Alto), a G1 winner whose consistency has made him a respected name among the older stayers.

Grezzo (Hi Happy), representing Haras La Providencia and José Luiz Correa Aranha, also lines up. This 3-year-old captured the Provincia (G3) before finishing a credible eighth in the Pellegrini, then rebounded to win the Botafogo (G3), the key prep for the Martínez de Hoz.

In the Botafogo, he narrowly defeated Don Tigre (Cityscape), who will try to turn the tables here. Don Tigre is one of three runners trained by Carlos D. Etchechoury, joined by Honest Boy (Heliostatic)—runner-up in the Jockey Clubbut a disappointment in the Pellegrini—and the Brazilian-bred Out of the Blue (Drosselmeyer), who beat Don Tigrein the Tresiete (L) before finishing fourth in the Botafogo.

The field is completed by El Cid Campeador (Il Campione), who will attempt to recapture the promise he showed as a juvenile, when he won the Gran Premio Provincia de Buenos Aires.

An unmissable race awaits—one that not only launches the G1 calendar but also invites us to dream of a brighter future for Argentine racing.