In another weak program, RIO FELIPIN stands out in the feature race

The son of Grand Reward returns to action after a long absence in the Especial Parlanchín, where the winner will take home a pathetic 3.700.000 pesos

Río Felipín, with superior credentials / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Figures in the red have been a constant lately—and for some time now—for owners, and the main racetracks do not seem overly concerned about it; quite the opposite, one might say. Programs that range mostly from weak to poor, combined with appalling purses, are a lethal mix that will, sooner or later, hurt the industry as a whole across all its stages.

In this frantic search for ways to pay less every day, San Isidro implemented the use of "special" categories a few weeks ago to replace certain handicaps, effectively cutting the prize money to be distributed by nearly half.

Case in point: this afternoon's Parlanchín (1,200m, dirt) will offer 3,700,000 pesos to the winner—practically nothing for a supposedly top-level category. If owning a competitive horse does not even allow one to keep the books balanced...

Under these circumstances, it is hardly surprising that only five runners were confirmed at the starting gates for a race open to all horses 5 years old and up with three or more wins, with weights assigned by the scale.

After 262 days, Río Felipín (Grand Reward, 58) returns to action with every intention of making up for lost time, facing two other rivals looking to redeem themselves: Cerrito Piñón (Manipulator, 58) and Señor Moon (E Dubai, 56).

The short field is completed by Qué Bombón (Daniel Boone, 56) and Por Ahí (Strategic Prince, 54), both rated a step below the aforementioned contenders.