Le Cornette, Naranccello, and El Fortín promise a thrilling showdown

Monday's Clásico Paraguay (G3) at Palermo features a high-stakes showdown among several of the top sprinters in training today

An absolute thriller awaits this afternoon on the straight course at Hipódromo de Palermo with the Clásico Paraguay (G3-1000m, dirt), headlining an entertaining card that also features a pair of specials for horses competing on the provincial circuit.

Le Cornette (Emmanuel), the reigning division champion, returns to the corner of Libertador and Dorrego buoyed by a top-level triumph at San Isidro. However, he faces stiff opposition in the rising Naranccello (Le Blues) and El Fortín (Il Campione), winner of the last Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1), who promises a stellar return to pure sprint conditions after an unsuccessful attempt at longer distances.

The quality lineup does not end there, as graded winner Camuflaje (Orpen), the unbeaten Rey de la Calle (Che Micky), and 3-year-old Nissos (Il Mercato) will also line up, adding the intrigue of the season's first clash between the new generation and the older horses.

Le Cornette needs little introduction. At 7 years old, he displayed enduring class just over a month and a half ago by repelling Land of Promise (Le Blues) by a half-neck in the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1).

Crossing his path is Naranccello, who skipped the Estrellas series but defeated him by a half-length prior to that when they clashed under these exact conditions in the Clásico Coronel Pringles (G3). Can he repeat the feat?

As noted, El Fortín failed to make an impact beyond the kilometer and now returns to the distance where he capped off 2025 in brilliant style. He undergoes a jockey change as Pablo Carrizo steps in for the still-recovering Lucrecia Carabajal. His front-running speed is proven beyond doubt, though this will serve as a stern test.

The aforementioned Camuflaje, Rey de la Calle, and Nissos will look to pull off the upset, along with Martinique(Señor Candy)—who has already finished close to both Le Cornette and Naranccello—Exclamación Pass (Distinctiv Passion), and Claro Bombón (Claro Oscuro), shaping what promises to be a spectacular contest.

Earlier on the card, Super Junior (Seize) stands out in the Especial Ill Diabolo (1000m, dirt), while Talento Infinito(Equal Talent) looks poised to take the honors in the Especial Don Bildo (1400m, dirt).