La Mission and Mexico Highlight Upcoming Week’s Action

he stayers will square off Saturday on the turf at San Isidro, while the sprinters will take their turn Sunday on the dirt at Palermo

Romana Craf Among Nominees for Clásico La Mission / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

With the Triple Crown and the most important stage of the season fast approaching, both Palermo and San Isidro have begun assembling their upcoming programs. The highlight of the weekend will be staged at the Jockey Club’s oval, where Saturday’s feature is the Clásico La Mission (G2, 2000m, turf), a key steppingstone on the path toward the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1) for fillies and mares at the distance.

A field of 14 has been entered, led by Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja), already a G1 heroine, along with graded winners Lacanian Ink (Fragotero), Romana Craf (Mastercraftsman) and Poker Mommy (Daddy Long Legs). Other notable names include International Look (Cosmic Trigger) and Knows All (Le Blues), both proven performers in the division.

The remainder of the possibles are: Elvi Grace (Southern Cat), Global Girl (Global Hunter), Herd Immunity (Forge), Pasaron Cosas (Treasure Beach), Presencial (Suggestive Boy), Punta Turquesa (Fortify), Scarletta (USA, Gun Runner) and Soy La Líder (Manipulator).

Saturday’s undercard also includes the Clásico Vilmar Sanguinetti (1400m, turf) for 3-year-old colts, with seven likely starters: Chaplin (Nicholas), Coro de Rojas (Daddy Long Legs), Full Caluroso (Full Mast), Full Keynote (Full Mast), Señor Dalton (Señor Candy), The Outsider (Roman Joy) and Tiffony Moi (El Moisés).

At San Isidro, Wednesday, Aug. 27, the focus will shift to the Clásico Refinado Tom (L, 1200m, dirt), for older horses, which drew no fewer than 17 probables: Arcanum (Horse Greeley), Billy Bob (Idalino), Cacal Island (Lizard Island), Carvel (Safety Check), Despacito (Sabayón), Dom Mario (Midshipman), Freed From Desire (Holy Boss), Ganas de Correr (Safety Check), Glorioso Rim (Remote), Lo Dejo Todo (Le Blues), Mario's Rim (Remote), Oriental Boy (Cosmic Trigger), Payucano (Mask), Ridge Prince (Strategic Prince), Rugiente (Il Campione), Say It Fast (Cosmic Trigger) and Suarium (Manipulator).

Meanwhile, Palermo will host the sprinters on Sunday, Aug. 24, with the Clásico México (G3, 1000m, dirt) for fillies and mares. Among the nominees, sophomore Sarzana Pass (Distinctiv Passion) could take on far more seasoned rivals such as African Mode (Angiolo), Aubrie (Angiolo), Candy and Giant (Giant's Pleasure), Eleven Mile (Il Campione), Flamboyance Rim (Remote), La Gran Furtiva (South Kissing), Lagoa Azul (Lenovo), Lissette Island (Lizard Island) and Madame Bic (Puerto Escondido).

Declarations and riding assignments close at noon on Tuesday.