Labrado opens his fifth season and seeks to regain prominence in the General Viamonte

The three-time speed champion will face Hiran and Salando Las Heridas after his poor showing in the Félix de Alzaga Unzué

Labrado, 3-time Champion Sprinter in Argentina / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The stupendous afternoon of racing expected this Saturday at the Hipódromo de San Isidro will have one of its great figures in the formidable Labrado, three-time speed champion, who will begin his fifth season on the tracks in the Clásico General Viamonte (G3-1000 m, turf), the first of the three graded races included in the program.

It is a rare moment for the son of Le Blues, who is much more accustomed to winning than having to seek rehabilitation, but logical considering he is heading toward 7 years of age, when inconsistency in performance begins to become more frequent.

With Labrado on the track, the show is guaranteed, and for the star of the Bonetto family and Stud Don Ariel, the occasion could serve to quickly forget his very weak performance in the Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1), the only top-level event in the category he has never been able to win. Before that, the bay had shown himself at his peak to defeat Le Cornette (Emmanuel) in the Gran Premio Suipacha (G1) after another slip-up in the Clásico Paraguay(G3).

Nothing will be easy for the star on the Jockey Club turf. First, the fight will be with himself and the ghosts of whether his prime has passed. Second, because he will face a brief but demanding field of opponents, starting with Hiran.

The son of Santillano always gives his best and comes from regaining confidence by taking the Clásico Gentlemenwithout having to exert extreme resources. Of course, the competition here will be much tougher than that time, a detail that is not minor at all.

Starting from post 1 will be the practically invincible Salando Las Heridas (Strategos), a homebred of Stud-Haras Ojos Claros who has won 3 out of 4, the last two consecutively and after overcoming a long layoff. His only defeat came against Secreto a Voces (Springdom) in the Clásico Islas Malvinas (L), after which he went into winter quarters. He is a very tough rival.

One step below appear Antiguo Secreto (Angiolo) and Contra Pronóstico (Daddy Long Legs), although both have the credentials to dream of becoming the revelation of the race.