Labrado goes for a three-peat – and more – on his big day

If Labrado wins the Estrellas Sprint (G1), he will equal Wally with three consecutive titles and become the only horse with four Estrellas wins. A race with a historic aura

Labrado Goes for His Third Sprint Win, First at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

When three-time champion Labrado steps onto the track at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo this Saturday, one of the most memorable moments in the history of the Estrellas series will unfold. Should the crack sprinter capture the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1-1000m, dirt, ARS$31,000,000 to the winner) once again, he will have achieved one of the greatest feats ever seen in the division.

The son of Le Blues, winner of this race in both 2023 and 2024, will be aiming to match the record of the unforgettable Wally (Southern Halo) by securing a third consecutive title in the Estrellas sprint event organized by the Fundación Equina Argentina.

But there is yet another historic milestone at stake for the Stud Don Ariel star: if he crosses the wire first, he will become the first horse in the festival’s 35-year history to win four Estrellas titles, having also captured the Junior Sprint (G3) back in 2022.

Just days away from turning six, Labrado returned to action after more than four months away, finishing third behind the now-absent El Mejor Recuerdo (Il Campione) in the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1) on May 1. On that occasion, he also finished behind Lagoa Azul (Lenovo), who was second that day and reappears here as his main rival, seeking to extend her outstanding 2025 campaign.

With 13 wins from 20 starts, including 7 at G1 level, Labrado will also have to contend with other notable contenders on his path to greatness, including Coraje Gaucho (Lenovo), who has not raced since finishing a brilliant second behind Arellano (Angiolo) in the Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1) last December, a race where Labrado himself was third.

Another to watch is the promising three-year-old Hiran (Santillano), who upholds a strong family tradition: he is a maternal half-brother to G1 winners Humor Acido (Emperor Richard) and Humorada Negra (Emperor Richard) – the latter also victorious in the Sprint – as well as to stakes winner Humorada Lírica (Sidney's Candy). Hiran comes off a win in the Clásico Santiago Lawrie (G3) on San Isidro’s turf, having previously captured the Clásico General Viamonte (G3) under similar conditions.

Despite physical setbacks, Le Cornette (Emmanuel) proved his class once more with a local handicap victory, while the speedy Santa Calma (Qué Vida Buena) cannot be overlooked following her promising effort stepping up into stakes company.