It's My Look Returns to Palermo with the Handicap Jorge H. Iglesias in Her Sights

The daughter of Equal Stripes locks horns with Reina Casada over 1800 meters on the dirt in what shapes up as a competitive field

The Handicap Jorge H. Iglesias will headline Monday's card at Hipódromo de Palermo. With the World Cup now in the rearview mirror following Spain's impressive victory over Argentina, things return to a far more familiar rhythm across the country, where the economic crisis continues to play out both broadly and locally as betting handles have remained stagnant for months.

Featuring 15 races on the afternoon, the tribute to the historic manager of Hipódromo de San Isidro occupies the tenth slot on the program, scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. Open to fillies and mares 4 years old and up over 1800 meters on the dirt, the contest offers a winner's purse of 8,500,000 pesos.

Among the 9 contenders confirmed, conditions look ideal for It's My Look (Equal Stripes) to regain her winning ways, even as she carries the top weight of 58 kilos. Competing over her preferred setup, the Stud Los Betos colorbearer will try to rebound from a subpar effort in the Handicap Rafale on the San Isidro dirt and replicate the form that saw her capture the Handicap Blue Stripe back in February.

Standing in her path is Reina Casada (Long Island Sound, 57 1/2), who at 7 years old is racing in top form. Clear proof of her current resurgence lies in her victories in the Especial Neápolis and Especial Seductor, alongside a agonizingly narrow nose defeat to Dona Zoe (Storm Embrujado) in the Especial Halo Ola.

Another contender riding a wave of momentum is Hidden Vision (Puerto Escondido, 54), who arrives on a three-race winning streak, most recently prevailing in the aforementioned Handicap Rafale.

Embrace It (Daddy Long Legs, 55 1/2) put together solid performances during last season's sophomore stakes trail and is now working to recapture that high-level form. Coming off her second career victory over this track, it would be no surprise to see her fighting for top honors.

Existing (Winning Prize, 55), Sir Brave (Lencelot, 51), Black Babe (Treasure Beach, 53), Always Funny (Fortify, 52 1/2), and Citadelle (Fortify, 53) round out the field, adding depth to a very competitive lineup.