Illa Alegre nailed pacesetter Jalimba right at the wire

Approaching her seventh birthday, the daughter of Sabat Husson captured the Handicap Haras de la Pomme

In the final stages, Illa Alegre got the better of the game Jalimba / HLP

LA PLATA, Argentina–It wasn’t until the very last strides that the outcome of Thursday’s featured Handicap Haras de La Pomme (1600m, wet dirt) at the Bosque became clear, with Illa Alegre (Sabat Husson, 54kg) collaring front-running favorite Jalimba (Señor Candy, 57.5kg) right at the wire in a thrilling stretch duel witnessed by only a handful of on-track fans.

Representing Stud El Barrial and bred, owned, and trained by Fabio H. Mentucci, Illa Alegre was coming off a strong effort in the Clásico Joaquín M. Maqueda (G3), and capitalized on that momentum to secure a well-earned stakes-level win—just shy of her seventh birthday.

By the solid sire Sabat Husson (Husson), Illa Alegre kept within range as Jalimba shot out of the gate and carved out splits of :24.94, :48.60, and 1:13.58 over the wet going.

Turning for home, Jalimba tried to open up, but Iván Monasterolo timed his move perfectly, setting Illa Alegre down and gradually reeling in the leader to edge past in the final 20 meters, stopping the clock in 1:40.70 with a neck to spare. It was another race entirely back to third-placed Elvi Grace (Southern Cat, 57.5kg), who checked in 11 lengths adrift.

The win marked the fifth—and most significant—career victory for Illa Alegre, who, clearly, has no intention of heading into retirement just yet.