Hi Pocho, a spectacular victory at the hands of a jockey who shone: Gonzalo Borda
- Turf Diario
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Stealing the pace from the front, the son of Hi Happy dominated by 6 lengths over Sarraceno in the Clásico Ensayo (G3)
A talented colt paired with an astute jockey is a formidable combination to defeat. Hi Pocho and Gonzalo Borda proved just that during a spectacular Saturday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, delivering a masterpiece to surge into the spotlight with a brilliant victory in the Clásico Ensayo (G3-1,800 m, fast turf) and earn every right to dream of the ultimate prize: the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1).
Another standout performer in the deep stable managed by Marcelo Sueldo, the son of Hi Happy found the ideal combination of distance and turf to make his definitive leap into the big leagues, following a pair of promising efforts at the G1 level that signaled something special was on the horizon.
He finished fifth while still a maiden in the Gran Criterium (G1), then closed to take fourth behind Colorado del Monte(Strategos) in the Dos Mil Guineas (G1). Now, with added experience and the stamina to stretch out in distance, his third attempt in top-company proved to be the charm.
The key to the chestnut colt's victory for Stud El Gran Robert lay in his ability to establish a relaxed front-running lead through sensible early fractions. Gonzalo Borda executed the strategy masterfully, dictating terms with soft splits of 26s27/100, 50s98/100, and 1m15s82/100 that made catching him an uphill battle for the rest of the field.
Capitalizing on the opposition's passive tactics, Hi Pocho entered the homestretch with plenty in reserve. Once Borda set him free, the colt extended his stride smoothly to put the finishing touches on a dominant performance.
At the wire, he held a commanding 6-length margin over runner-up Sarraceno (Daddy Long Legs), while Rugbier Boy(Suggestive Boy) finished another 2 lengths back in third. The final time was 1m48s96/100, highlighted by a blistering final quarter-mile in under 12 seconds.
On the losing side, Don Pacto (Pneumatic) finished fifth, while race favorite Barto (Pneumatic) managed only an eighth-place finish, more than 13 lengths behind the winner, leaving his connections disappointed.
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