Il Omare Bests Furioso Hit in Argentine 1-2 Finish in Clásico Bolognesi

The Il Campione colt got the better of the Hit It a Bomb runner over the Monterrico turf this past Sunday

In a dramatic finish, Il Omare surged late to edge out Furioso Hit at the wire / MONTERRICO

LIMA, Perú (Special for Turf Diario).- Strong Showing by Argentine Horses Continues at Monterrico with Clásico Coronel Francisco Bolognesi (L) Turf Thriller

The positive momentum for Argentine runners at Monterrico extended this past Sunday in the Clásico Coronel Francisco Bolognesi (L), a key event on the calendar for older horses on the turf, contested over 1800 meters.

In an open stretch duel, Il Omare (Il Campione) caught the pacesetter Furioso Hit (Hit It a Bomb) right at the wire, securing a remarkable 1-2 finish for the Argentine contingent. Veteran Storm Rufino (USA, by Goldencents) and Kanko(CHI, by Newfoundland) rounded out the superfecta in close order.

On a shortened and somewhat compromised turf course, Furioso Hit went straight to the lead, dictating early splits of 24.95 and 50.50 seconds. Meanwhile, aboard Il Omare, jockey José Reyes employed a contrasting strategy, rating comfortably near the rear and well off the pace.

Approaching the final turn, the winner began advancing without urgency as Furioso Hit stubbornly maintained his lead despite pressure from heavy favorite Don't Lose Time (USA, Carpe Diem) and Chalpon (PER, Yazamaan).

Turning for home, Reyes swung wide with Il Omare, appearing to face a tough task closing on the leader, who preserved a significant advantage into the final furlong. Yet the determined jockey and his Jet Set-bred bay rallied gamely, edging clear at the finish in a final time of 1:54.30. Furioso Hit was second by a nose, Storm Rufino third by a half-length, and Kanko fourth a further half-length back.

Trained by Juan Suárez Villarroel and bred by Haras Santa Inés, Il Omare marked a strong return to stakes company after a spell aimed at building confidence in allowance races. As a juvenile in 2024, he captured the Clásico Marcial and finished third in the Clásico Manuel Quimper.

Il Omare is out of Queen Halo (Southern Halo), a half-sister to the great Invasor (Candy Ride) and stakes winner Interpret (Distorted Humor). Queen Halo has also produced in Argentina Quirico (Jump Start), winner of the Gran Premio Palermo (G1), and Queen May (Not for Sale), dam of stakes-placed Queen Megan (Hi Happy).