La Plata violated the rules once again and canceled the Clásico Gnecco

No rescheduling was announced, continuing a pattern that has repeated for years at the province racecourse; the San Martín, the sole stakes event of the week there

Storm Sound, one of the confirmed contenders for the San Martín / HLP

LA PLATA—The local track did it again: violating international rules, La Plata Racecourse canceled—with no rescheduling announced so far—the Clásico Manuel F. y Emilio Gnecco (G3), which was scheduled for Saturday, August 15, for fillies and mares 4 years old and up over one mile.

As is well known, under International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) regulations, graded stakes must be run regardless of the number of confirmed starters—a situation about which the South American Organization for the Promotion of Thoroughbred Breeding (OSAF) explicitly warned management not long ago.

While it may seem like a minor detail, it is far from it, as this continued practice could trigger serious ramifications for La Plata regarding its marquee fixtures. One does not have to look far back to recall that just a couple of years ago, the prestigious Clásico Jockey Club de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (G2) itself was scrapped and postponed...

A total of 13 entries had been nominated for the Gnecco, but true to form, La Plata merely announced its cancellation without disclosing how many runners were actually declared. As a result, the card on the biggest day of the week will consist solely of 12 conditions races, four of which belong to the alternative category...

With the Gnecco off the program, the sole stakes fixture of the week in the Bosque will take place on Tuesday, August 18, with the Clásico General José de San Martín (G3), contested over 1,600 meters for 4-year-olds and up under weight-for-age conditions, offering a winner's purse below 10,000,000 pesos.

Four runners were withdrawn from the original entry list, including Campo Verde (Strategos), leaving a final field of seven. Headlining the group is Sabiyano (Fortify), who will aim to defend the title he captured 12 months ago after recently returning to winning form.

Seasoned campaigners Storm Sound (Hi Happy), the division leader here in 2025, and El Ernesto (Señor Candy), who enters off a solid effort in the Clásico República Federativa del Brasil (G3) at Palermo, loom as his main threats.

Completing the lineup are Boyero Spring (Greenspring), Emblematicu (Lucullan), Seek Wave (Seek Again), and Tryman (Safety Check).