Guapa Pasea and Ask for Wild added to Banegas’s winning tally

The jockey, now aiming for his first riding title with Francisco Leandro out of the picture, just keeps finding the winner’s circle

Guapa Pasea earned her second victory from just four starts / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Kevin Banegas has set his sights on a clear goal—and he’s working relentlessly to achieve it: capturing his first overall jockeys’ title. With Francisco Leandro sidelined by injury in recent weeks and preparing for the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, the standings have opened up, and Banegas is seizing the opportunity with both hands.

The San Miguel del Monte native continues to rack up winners, riding with confidence and consistency as he looks to close the gap in the final stretch of the year. His productive Thursday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo added two more victories to his growing total, bringing him to 235 wins, now 38 behind Leandro’s 273.

His first success came aboard the Rosario-bred Ask for Wild (Angiolo–Forever Wild, by Forestry), bred by Haras El Paraíso, who dismantled his rivals in the Premio Tostada (1000 meters, dirt) for 4-year-olds with one prior win. The Daniel Cima trainee, a hot favorite, dominated throughout to score by 10 lengths over Grand Glamour (Grand Reward) in 55.85, and now owns two wins from 11 starts for Stud Los 7 Nietos.

Banegas completed the double a short time later in the feature allowance of the day, guiding the filly Guapa Pasea(Leofric–Garden of Eden, by Curlin, bred by Haras Los Turfistas) to an effortless victory in the Premio I’m Glad(1000 meters), restricted to 3-year-olds with one win at the alternative level.

Forced into tougher company by the limited number of regular allowance races, the María F. Álvarez–Wálter Suáreztrainee made things look easy—pressing early, taking command without resistance, and drawing clear to win by two lengths over Menguante Chuck (Chuck Berry) in 57.56.

The dark bay from Stud La Excusa continues to move forward, now boasting two wins from just four starts, and giving every indication that more success awaits among Palermo’s sharp sprinting division.

Handle figures at Avenida del Libertador y Dorrego reflected a strong day at the windows, totaling 394,605,572 pesos—an average of 35,873,234 per race. Despite the heat and a rotated schedule, betting volume held firm, underscoring the public’s growing enthusiasm.

With his confidence high and momentum on his side, Kevin Banegas keeps winning—and the riding title looks increasingly within reach if he maintains this formidable pace.