Legalized Lays Down a Marker, Emerges as a Promising Force on the Classic Trail

The son of Dabster handled the surface and distance switch with authority, drawing off impressively in the Anasagasti (L) to confirm his vast potential ahead of bigger challenges to come

Team Legalized Sets Sights on Bigger Wins Ahead / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Another rising star has emerged on the national stage. His name is Legalized, and judging by the manner in which he dispatched his rivals in Saturday’s Clásico Manuel Anasagasti (L), he looks poised to become a major player within his generation.

Making the transition from the dirt oval at Palermo to the San Isidro turf chute—and shortening up from 1500 to 1400 meters—the son of Dabster (Curlin) delivered a performance that dazzled, one of those efforts that generates buzz and raises expectations.

The homebred carries the silks of Al Adiyaat, the operation of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, and he made it all look effortless under a confident ride by Francisco Leandro. Rated off the early tempo set by Monteagrelo (Il Mercato), with Forgging (Forge) and Liberto (Hurricane Cat) also in close pursuit, Legalized launched a bold move inside at the top of the lane. In just a few strides, he swept past the leader and opened daylight.

From there, it was a formality. Kept to task with minimal urging, Legalized powered home to score by an emphatic six lengths over Coro de Rojas (Daddy Long Legs), completing a 1-2 sweep for leading trainer Juan Saldivia. Sargento Morris (Gouverneur Morris) checked in third, just ahead of Monteagrelo and Forgging. The final time was 1:26.60 over a turf course labeled as "wet" despite no recent rain.

Now unbeaten in two starts, Legalized is a full-brother to stakes winner Causeway Girl and a maternal half to the talented Auto Bahn (Asiatic Boy), runner-up to Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel) in the 2024 UAE Derby (G2). They are all out of Autografiada (Giant’s Causeway), a half-sister to 2009 Polla de Potrancas (G1) heroine La Severa(Thunder Gulch).

With pedigree, class, and raw talent, Legalized appears well on his way to fulfilling lofty ambitions.