Labrado chases a historic dream, though Le Cornette will try once again to spoil the party

In the Paraguay (G3), the three-time champion will look to become the first horse to win four consecutive editions of a stakes in the country, but his rival comes off a decisive victory over him

Labrado is riding a three-race losing streak, but with his class, a rebound is far from impossible. / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

All eyes in Argentine racing will be on Palermo today, where the three-time champion Labrado will try to add another historic chapter to his already remarkable résumé. The son of Le Blues will attempt to become the first horse ever to capture four consecutive runnings of the same stakes in the country when he lines up for the Paraguay (G3, 1000m, dirt).

The Stud Don Ariel standard-bearer needs no introduction, having set the pace among sprinters for the past three years—winning nearly everything in sight and, even in defeat, leaving it all on the track. His tendency to break slowly has cost him on more than one occasion, and he comes into this test amid the longest drought of his career, with three straight losses. Still, he has always been right there, and a return to the winner’s circle feels within reach.

The challenge will be anything but easy. Chief among his rivals is Le Cornette (Emmanuel), the very colt who handed him a decisive four-length beating in the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1) under the same conditions they will face today.

Another major danger is Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), who made a sparkling debut for trainers Walter Suárez and María F. Alvarez, storming home to win the Clásico Diamond Jubilee by five lengths.

The Paraguay will also be the first true clash between the older horses and the new crop of 3-year-olds, and the youngsters will be well represented by Naranccello (Le Blues). Unbeaten in two starts, he will enjoy a significant six-kilo weight allowance under the age conditions, which could prove decisive.

Further down the line, contenders such as fellow sophomore Exclamación Pass (Distinctiv Passion), Cerrito Piñón (Manipulator), Land of Promise (Le Blues) and Oro Azteca (Empire Aztec) will be hoping to put forward career-best efforts to get involved.

Labrado runs for history today, but several tough adversaries stand in his way. The question is: can he get it done?