Guadilu Delivered Another Smile, Capping a Breakout Year in Perfect Fashion

In a one-two finish for sire Señor Candy, the Stud Lagrange mare swept home late to capture the Handicap Jerry Honor

Guadilu conserved her energy for the decisive moment / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The purple patch enjoyed by Guadilu added another chapter Friday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, as she emerged one of the day’s standout performers with a well-earned victory in the Handicap Jerry Honor (1400 meters, dirt).

Carrying 57 kilos—among the heaviest imposts in the field—and timed to perfection by Martín Valle, the mare sporting the historic colors of Stud Lagrange reeled in the front-running and topweighted Ataka (58), sealing a one-two finish for sire Señor Candy (Candy Ride).

Sent off the favorite, Guadilu traveled comfortably while Ataka dictated terms, closely attended by Filippiada (Il Mercato, 56), through relatively soft fractions of :25.29 and :48.58. Turning for home, the leader attempted to kick clear and briefly opened daylight on her nearest pursuer.

But there was still the matter of the late runners to hold at bay—and in that department, Guadilu proved relentless once asked. For a moment it appeared she might struggle to get there, yet inside the final furlong her stride never wavered as Ataka began to feel the weight, allowing Guadilu to thrust her head in front close home and edge away to score by a half-length.

Another 1 1/2 lengths back, Filippiada held on gamely for third, with Look Happy (Hi Happy, 56 1/2) completing the superfecta a further 1 1/2 lengths away. The final time was 1:22.48, with the 1200 meters covered in 1:10.88 and a sharp final split of :11.40.

Bred by Gamlingay S.A. and trained by Agustín Pavlovsky, Guadilu notched the fifth win of her career—her second outside allowance company—from just 12 starts, with only one unplaced effort, pushing her earnings to ARS 39,285,575.

Her dam, La Introvertida (Star Dabbler), is out of the celebrated Grade I winner Come Into (Honour and Glory), a half-sister to stakes winner Rules Out (Roman Ruler), from a female family that has also produced the G2 scorer Blinking Champ (Ski Champ) for Haras Firmamento.

Guadilu continues to build an imposing résumé in handicap company, but with her current form and maturity, the next rung—full stakes company—appears firmly within reach at exactly the right moment.