Juan Cruz Rivarola and Elenika: A Reunion Worth Its Weight in Gold

The jockey was back aboard the leading filly after William Pereyra was ruled out, and together they dominated the mile at La Plata. “I always believed in her,” said an emotional Rivarola

Juan C. Rivarola and a Gesture That Said It All / HLP

LA PLATA.- Juan Cruz Rivarola wasn’t originally slated to ride Elenika in Tuesday’s G2 Clásico Miguel Luis Morales at La Plata. The daughter of Winning Prize had captured the G2 Clásico Raúl Aristegui last out with William Pereyra aboard, and connections intended to keep him on for her next start.

However, fate intervened when Pereyra was unable to travel to La Plata, opening the door for the local jockey to reunite with the filly. Together they secured victory in the Morales, taking a significant step toward the local Triple Crown.

Yet this was no mere stroke of luck. Despite knowing he wouldn’t have the mount, Rivarola continued to exercise Elenika each morning, supporting trainers Esteban and Cristian Brown in her preparation – an effort that earned him the ultimate reward.

“Elenika is a filly who keeps improving and always does things right in the mornings,” Rivarola told Daniel Sinegub for the track’s internal circuit. “Last time I had to give her up because of another commitment, and sometimes you have to lose to win. I always breezed her, and the owners had decided to stick with William because he won on her. But I never stopped working her in the mornings, making a team with Esteban and Cristian Brown. William couldn’t come, they gave me the ride, and it turned out well.”

He added: “I’m lucky to know her well. Moving up to the mile was always going to be a challenge. They told me to ride her with confidence, that she would put herself in the race. Early on, they passed me, and I held her a little without dropping too far back. But by the 800-meter mark, she was traveling so easily that I decided to go after the leaders, and she dominated very comfortably.”

The jockey closed by dedicating the win to her trainers: “This victory is for Esteban and Cristian, who have supported me since the day I left the jockey school.”

For his part, Esteban Brown was pleased with the outcome. “I see her improving further and going longer distances. She has a big engine and is still maturing. She’s gentle, eats well, and is growing up with every start. She was a bit nervous this time, which worried me, but everything worked out. Juan knows her well, and that’s very important. For now, we’ll keep following the local classic process in La Plata.”

With each performance, Elenika continues to deliver joy and fuel the dreams of her team, who believe there is still much more to come.