In Honor of "La Fiera": Palermo Pays Tribute to Juan Alberto Maciel

The feature race bearing his name will headline Friday’s card. With history on their backs and talent to spare, runners like Maranelo and Earth and Fire will aim for victory under the watchful eye of an unforgettable jockey

Maranelo will be making his first start around a turn / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

An engaging card awaits this Friday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, featuring promising juveniles, competitive condition races, and the Especial Juan Alberto Maciel as the main event.

What a jockey La Fiera was—one of those crowd favorites who turned grit and determination into a trademark. He could win impossible races and draw standing ovations from the stands, all in gratitude for his extraordinary talent. From his early days at La Plata to reaching the top, the beloved rider was aboard greats like New Dandy (New Noble), Salvate Tel(Telefónico), Rosadora (Pepenador), and Penita (Pepenador)—and the list goes on.

Juan himself will likely be present for the trophy ceremony to honor the winner, and several notable names will be lining up for the chance to share that moment. The race, run over 1200 meters on dirt, is open to horses five years old and up with three or more wins. It will also mark the first time Maranelo (Holy Boss) competes around a turn.

A winner of the Clásicos Necochea (L), Osvaldo Martínez, and Eduardo Jara, Maranelo recently returned from a 7-month layoff to finish third, beaten four lengths by Le Cornette (Emmanuel) in the Handicap Laramie Trail. He carried 59.5 kilos that day and will drop to 58 this time as he faces Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero, 56), who was runner-up in the same race, a length and a half ahead of the favorite and already proven around the bend.

Earth and Fire (Cosmic Trigger, 56) returns after a 142-day break. The last time he was seen, he had won the Clásico Latency (L) and finished second to Filoso Class (Filoso Emperor) in the Handicap Parlanchín. He left the scene in peak form, and if he returns at that level, he’ll be a major factor.

The mare Joy Antumalal (Il Campione, 52) gets in light and won’t surprise anyone if she tries to go gate-to-wire, while the veteran In a Flash (Endorsement, 58), nearing nine years old, looks to pull off another upset—something he’s done more than once. Django (Remote, 54) could be an appealing longshot for exotics.