Le Cornette and Labrado are set to lock horns in a mouthwatering, star-studded renewal of the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint

The two undisputed champions of the sprint division will clash on the turf straightaway of Hipódromo de San Isidro, both seeking to etch their names further into racing history

Labrado, the three-time reigning Champion Sprinter, will look to rewrite the history books / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

San Isidro is set to play host to a spectacular afternoon of championship racing on Saturday, with the blockbuster conclusion of the Carreras de las Estrellas festival. Spearheading the high-octane program right out of the gate is a mouthwatering renewal of the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1) over 1,000 meters on the turf straightaway, featuring a star-studded clash that promises fireworks.

The centerpiece of the speed showcase is the latest chapter in an epic, ongoing heavyweight rivalry between three-time Champion Sprinter Labrado (Le Blues) and the reigning divisional king, Le Cornette (Emmanuel)—a high-stakes duel that historically defies prediction.

History beckons for the ultra-consistent Labrado on Saturday. The brilliant speedster enters the starting gates aiming for an unprecedented fourth individual victory in the Fundación Equina Argentina’s marquee series, having previously captured the 2022 Junior Sprint (G1) followed by back-to-back editions of this exact feature in 2023 and 2024. A victory tomorrow would also see him equal the legendary mare Wally (Southern Halo) as a three-time winner of the Sprint,though the La Quebrada homebred achieved her historic hat-trick in consecutive years.

Le Cornette lines up with equally lofty expectations as the defending champion of the race. Twelve months ago, the talented son of Emmanuel delivered a devastating performance on the Palermo dirt, drawing clear to defeat Labrado by a commanding four lengths.

The two titans last locked horns on May 1 in the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1) at Palermo. In that event, the now-absent El Epecuén secured the trophy, edging out Labrado by three-quarters of a length, while Le Cornette checked in fourth—another three-quarters of a length adrift—after being severely compromised by a poor beginning. Le Cornette has made one subsequent appearance since May Day, turning in a somewhat lackluster effort when falling to the sophomore Naranccello (Le Blues) in the Clásico Coronel Pringles (G3) at Palermo.

While the two champions command the spotlight, a deeply competitive supporting cast stands ready to spring an upset.The field includes the battle-tested Lindo Tono Pass (Distinctiv Passion), who returns to his preferred grass surface; El Madrugador (Il Campione), making his highly anticipated debut for new connections after changing hands for a multi-million peso figure at auction; and the progressive Land of Promise (Le Blues).