Hit Colchonero made up 12 lengths on El Darwin to claim victory in the Clásico Uruguay

The son of Hit It a Bomb, who was coming off a 9-length defeat behind El Darwin in the Clásico Clausura (G2), has now defeated him by 3 lengths

Hit Colchonero crossed the wire in a gallop / HLP

LA PLATA.— The absence of El Bolivariano (Il Campione), the heavy favorite, opened the doors for the remaining contenders in the Clásico Uruguay (2,000m, fast dirt), the feature race of Saturday’s card at the local racecourse.

The one who best seized the opportunity was Hit Colchonero, securing a solid victory and taking revenge on El Darwin (Il Campione)—the betting favorite—after having finished well behind him when both fell to the also-absent Sono Perfetto (Tetaze) in the Clásico Clausura (G2).

On that occasion, El Darwin had finished second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the colt, while Hit Colchonero crossed the wire fourth, another 9 lengths back. This time, the latter made up a 12-length swing relative to his rival, defeating him by 3 lengths with tremendous ease—one of the paradoxes of the unpredictable Argentine turf, where seemingly impossible margins can be erased in a matter of weeks.

With William Pereyra in peak form—coming off a seven-win performance on Friday at San Isidro—the Haras La Gringa runner raced within striking distance and alongside El Darwin, while Preludio Lento (Daddy Long Legs) set the pace further ahead with soft fractions of 26s67/100, 51s55/100, and 1m16s71/100.

Midway through the turn, the winner made his move on the outside and, without meeting any opposition, took the lead, drew away, and headed for the wire without complications. Behind him, El Darwin battled to hold onto the runner-up spot by a head over Real Craf (Mastercraftsman), with Rumor de Fuego (Daddy Long Legs) finishing fourth, another 4 lengths back. The final time for the race was 2m4s36/100, featuring a strong closing split.

Trained by Humberto Benesperi and bred by Roberto Greco and Tianro SA., Hit Colchonero is the 20th stakes winner produced in the country by Hit It a Bomb (currently standing in Uruguay). He is out of the mare Open Star (Orpen), from the family of champion Grand Vitesse (Potrillón), the notable stayer of the Vargas Lerena silks.