Juan Saldivia: “When horses are good, you have to take care of them and run in the big races”
The trainer celebrated Personal Filly's crowning victory in the La Plata Selección, detailed the preparation that brought her to G1 success, and highlighted Roberto Pellegatta and his team as foundational pillars of a formidable season
LA PLATA.— Skipping a race can also be a way to move closer to victory. Juan Franco Saldivia had found in the decisive victory in the Polla de Potrancas (G2) the answers he needed about Personal Filly. The track suited her well, the distance appeared to be an ally, and the goal deserved a preparation without distractions. That is why he chose to wait, protect her, and arrive at the Gran Premio Selección de Potrancas (G1) with everything in place.
Saturday's result at Hipódromo de La Plata ultimately proved him right. The Wilgerbosdrift representative achieved her crowning glory and added another immensely valuable victory to an extraordinary season for the trainer and his team, who have been regular fixtures in the major races, with particular weight among the juvenile and three-year-old divisions.
“She is one of those light mares who doesn't like too much work, a mare that loves to gallop. She was prepared exclusively for this race,” Saldivia explained, placing the focus on the need to tailor demands to each individual's traits.
After the Polla, the program offered a stepping stone over 1700 meters. The trainer preferred to bypass it and focus on the main event: “I chose not to run her, prioritizing her well-being and bringing her in peak condition for this race, where we were able to breeze her 2000 meters and I loved it. To be honest, there were no excuses today; if they beat her, it was because the others were better.”
Behind that confidence lay observation, hard work, and a decision sustained with patience. It also reflected a core principle that Saldivia acknowledges as a foundational part of his bond with Roberto Pellegatta, an indispensable partner in building their current success.
“That is one of the main things Pella instilled in me: the concept of taking care of the stock. When horses are good, you have to take care of them and run in the big races. Thank God I have the backing of the owners, who give me the opportunity to decide and work with peace of mind,” he highlighted.
With Personal Filly, that philosophy found perfect expression. “From the way she won the Polla, she proved to me that La Plata suited her well and the distance suited her well,” he added. It was a matter of managing those factors so the filly could deliver her absolute best on the big day.
That same blueprint will now guide the decisions regarding her future. Securing the G1 title did not spark any rush in the trainer to commit to immediate targets. On the contrary, his initial assessment points toward granting her time to recover from the effort and discussing the next steps with her connections.
“She already accomplished the most important target, which is the Selección de Potrancas. Obviously, I won't run her in the Dardo Rocha. The Selección at Palermo feels a bit too soon now, and I think she deserves a break. She won the biggest race, so we will talk with the owners and the manager to see what we do next,” he anticipated.
The triumph builds upon a year of major significance for the stable, headlined by taking both Pollas at Palermo and maintaining a prominent presence beyond the younger generation. Sustaining that standard with a large roster demands far more than just hitting the mark in conditioning.
“It's a very nice, competitive moment, and we have around 150 horses. To work like this, the staff is fundamental: honest people, above all with a strong work ethic and reliability,” Saldivia stressed. In his view, the credit due to those who show up every day takes center stage: “Having a great team behind you makes everything much easier.”
That appreciation became especially warm when speaking of Pellegatta. While Saldivia accompanied Personal Fillyat La Plata, his partner was tending to another commitment for the team: “Pella is always right there in the trenches. Today he covered for me at the Los Turfistas sale because I had the commitment to be here.”
He also recalled the support he received during the one-month suspension he had to serve, when Pellegatta took charge of bringing the runners to the races. From that stretch came a satisfaction that went beyond the results and carried a deep sense of gratitude.
“Thank God I was able to deliver both Pollas at Palermo for him, which was a huge responsibility for me. He had to step back up to the plate, we handled it the right way, and he was very happy,” he shared.
In the midst of a season offering endless reasons to celebrate, Saldivia returned to speaking about patience, protection, and sharing credit. Personal Filly had just handed him another major victory. His very first thought was already to grant her the rest she had so rightfully earned.
