Lago Nahuel Huapi Gets Another Shot at Cinco Tapón, but Newcomers Loom Large…

The two colts that fought out the finish of the Doyhenard will square off once again over 1400 meters in the G3 Clásico Asociación de Propietarios, while Bolero Frank and Capital Boss ship into El Bosque with ambitions of their own

Lago Nahuel Huapi Aims to Stay Atop the Division / HLP

LA PLATA.- Three-year-olds will take center stage Saturday at La Plata as the road to divisional honors continues in the 1400-meter G3 Clásico Asociación de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera, likely to be contested over testing ground.

Leading the local contingent are Lago Nahuel Huapi (Hurricane Cat) and Cinco Tapón (Sixties Song), who finished just a neck apart when running one-two in the G3 Clásico Luis María Doyhenard, the latter stepping forward in the absence of the now-exported Takeshi Frank (Gidu).

For Lago Nahuel Huapi, the Doyhenard validated his gradual-level debut, having previously finished a solid third behind Takeshi Frank in the G3 Clásico Agustín B. Gambier. With his pedigree pointing to stamina, the extra furlong should play right into his strengths.

Cinco Tapón, by a dual G1 winner in both the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini and Gran Premio Latinoamericano, impressed with his runner-up effort and appears well-equipped to handle the added ground as well.

Looking to shake up the locals is Bolero Frank (Gidu), a homebred for Stud-Haras Gran Muñeca trained by Diego Peña. After a promising runner-up debut on the turf at San Isidro, he returned to break his maiden emphatically on soft going, drawing off by 2 1/2 lengths from Wild the Grate (Winning Prize).

Joining him from the north is Capital Boss (Daniel Boone), trained by Omar Labanca, who handed Bolero Frank a 3/4-length defeat when they last met on turf. His ability to handle the dirt will be key.

Also in the mix is Muchacho Calavera (Mask), a facile maiden winner for Stud Tinta Roja, though he failed to fire when last in the G2 Clásico Raúl y Raúl E. Chevalier, trailing well behind Drive Joy (Fortify). A rebound would not surprise.

Rounding out the field is Niño Samurai (Hat Ninja), who made a winning debut over this track. While the margin was narrow, further improvement seems likely in his second start.