Herd Immunity Returns Carrying High Weight Against Tough Field

The daughter of Forge will carry 58 1/2 kilos in the Handicap Lombardo, where she is set to face South Briole, Gigantografía, and others

Herd Immunity Aims to Regain Top Form for Stakes Return / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Racing returns to Hipódromo de San Isidro this Wednesday with a card that steps up slightly in quality, though it remains far from a blockbuster event.

Among the 14 scheduled races, the feature is the Handicap Lombardo, contested over 1800 meters on the dirt. Open to mares 5-year-olds and up, the race offers a purse of just 5,800,000 pesos, which, after deductions, nets the owner a little less than 4,000,000.

After a 144-day layoff, the talented Herd Immunity returns to action. She was last seen finishing sixth, beaten 8 3/4 lengths by Knows All (Le Blues) in the Clásico La Mission (G2). Now under the care of Angel D. Pérez, the daughter of Forge will carry the high weight of 58 1/2 kilos. It is worth noting that back in mid-May, she dominated the Clásico México on the La Plata dirt, winning by a staggering 17 lengths.

Standing in her way with much sharper current form is the consistent South Briole (South Kissing, 57 1/2). Entrusted to jockey Juan C. Villagra, she arrives on the back of several strong performances, including a third-place finish—5 1/2 lengths behind Blessed Shine (Honour Devil)—in the Handicap Orpen, and a previous 2 1/2-length victory over Elvi Grace (Southern Cat, 53 1/2) in the Handicap Saint Simon.

The latter, Elvi Grace, will also be in the gates, carrying a light weight and coming off a confidence-boosting win in a highly competitive mile condition race at this track.

Gigantografía (Bodemeister, 57) failed to meet expectations in her recent return, as issues beyond her actual talent level have hindered her from reaching her projected potential. However, trainer Juan C. Etchechoury (h.) continues to work every morning to turn that untapped potential into reality, and this spot could be her first step forward.

Gneisenau (Winning Prize, 50) and Luminica Es (True Cause, 53) are two names capable of being in the mix, while Playa Chopera (Treasure Beach, 53) and Doña Super (Daddy Long Legs, 53) loom as longshot threats.