La Plata Gears Up for the Guineas and Triple Crown Kickoff

Following entries, Elenika and Winston headline two of the most anticipated races on the La Plata calendar, though prize money continues to lag behind expectations

Elenika Eyes the Guineas as Winning Streak Continues/ HLP

LA PLATA.- The road to the Triple Crown is about to begin at La Plata, where entries were taken Friday for the upcoming renewals of the Polla de Potrancas (G2, 1600m, dirt) and Polla de Potrillos (G3, 1600m, dirt), two of the most anticipated classics on the local calendar.

The fillies will go to post Tuesday, August 5, while the colts will have their turn Thursday, August 7. Despite the prestige, both races carry a disappointing purse of ARS 6,915,000 to the winner—plus an additional ARS 3,000,000 bonus—which, once again, raises questions about the allocation of the much-discussed repair fund.

Fifteen fillies were entered for the Polla de Potrancas, led by standout Elenika (Winning Prize), who has been in firm control of her division and will look to keep that streak alive for trainer Esteban Brown. Chief among her challengers is Forti Leaf (Fortify), returning to her home track after defeating Mi Confesión (Suggestive Boy)—subsequent winner of Saturday’s Clásico Bayakoa (L) at San Isidro—in the Clásico Manuel J. Güiraldes (G3) at Palermo.

Other entries for the fillies' Guineas include Cálida Sonrisa (Cosmic Trigger), Calle de Tierra (Strategos), Elvees(Leofric), Hat Tapada (Hat Sócrates), La Tanguerita (Endorsement), Merle Oberon (Equal Talent), Mis Locuras(Manipulator), My Pride (Daddy Long Legs), Nevada Top (Puerto Escondido), Reina de Picas (Dabster), Sinfonía Latina (Señor Candy), Mimosa Grey (Zensational), and Souq (Forge).

As for the Polla de Potrillos, Winston (Forge)—a sharp winner last out in the Clásico Isidoro Aramburu (G3)—and Liberto (Hurricane Cat), victorious in the Old Man (G3) at Palermo, lead the group.

They are joined by a cast that includes Candy Cato (Il Mercato), Emblematicu (Lucullan), Gatao (Daddy Long Legs), Llebrenc (Forge), Purple Nich (Nicholas), Regalo del Sol (Lucullan), Roman Libanés (Roman Joy), Trovatto(Remote), Un Infierno (Dabster), Unbroken (Seahenge), Amuni (Tetaze), and Vampiro Zen (Zensational).

Also scheduled for the August 7 card is the Especial Bolivia (1200m), a sprint for fillies and mares four years old and up under weight-for-age conditions. On Sunday, August 3, La Plata will stage the Especial Aristocity (1700m), open to horses five years and older with at least three career wins.