Leo Acuña reaches 120 wins and earns his jockey license at San Isidro

The young rider reached the milestone aboard debutante Miles Away and now counts 80 victories on the season; William Pereyra stood out with a hat-trick on Thursday's card

SAN ISIDRO, Buenos Aires (Special for Turf Diario).— A neck can represent far more than a mere margin at the wire. For Leo Nicolás Acuña, the victory secured with Miles Away (Fortify) in Thursday's opener at Hipódromo de San Isidro marked his 120th win and completed his journey as an apprentice. A milestone achievement, the kind that lingers forever, reached just over a year after he began competing on the major circuits.

It was mid-August 2025 when the young rider launched his career. Since then, the wins have accumulated with a frequency that explains his rapid ascent: 80 of his 120 victories have come during the current season. Two-thirds of his total haul came in 2026—a year that still has more than three months remaining and already holds a defining place in his trajectory.

The horse responsible for carrying him across the threshold was Miles Away, who had her own reason to celebrate: she won on debut in the Premio Salón Congreve over 1,200 meters on the dirt, linking her maiden score to her rider's professional milestone.

The daughter of Fortify and Millera Stripes (Equal Stripes), presented by Francisco Gaim for Stud Dream and Wish, edged out Orgullosa Pita (For Ecuador) by a neck. For the filly, it was the first step; for Acuña, the arrival at a target pursued since his very first mounts. Two different beginnings, captured in the exact same frame.

The rider's accomplishment carried weight within the conditional ranks. Reaching 120 wins in such a short span speaks to consistency and taking full advantage of opportunities in a profession where making a mark demands delivering repeatedly. Now a new chapter begins, equipped with accumulated experience and the challenge of sustaining momentum as a fully fledged journeyman.

Thursday was also a productive afternoon for William Pereyra, who scored a hat-trick aboard Desigual (Nicholas), Galán Spring (Galán de Cine), and Bocón Stripes (Equal Stripes). Three trips to the winner's circle gave him a commanding presence on the day's card.

With Bocón Stripes, the win proved emphatic. Conditioned by Sergio D. Cajal, the colt captured the Premio Los Cónsules over 1,400 meters by 4 lengths over León de Plata (Treasure Beach). The winner stopped the clock in 1m23s56/100, putting the finishing touch on his rider's treble.

Among the three-year-old division, alongside Miles Away, Alice’s Mill (Seize), Champi Rim (Remote), and Qualick(Daniel Boone) also carved out space in the allowance review. The juvenile conditions thus produced several new winners worth monitoring in upcoming starts.

Qualick broke his maiden status in the Premio Mesa Chica over 1,200 meters with Kevin Banegas in the irons for trainer Enrique Martín Ferro. The son of Daniel Boone and Queen Kelly (Orpen) crossed the line ahead of Vale Ricky (Pneumatic).

Veteran form also found its moment through Stormy Wind (Forge), who collected the eighth win of his career. The seasoned campaigner added another score to his record, sharing top billing with horses just beginning to craft theirs.

Yet the most meaningful image of Thursday belonged to the opening race. Acuña arrived with 119 wins to his credit and, one neck later, reached his goal. A little over a year proved to be all he needed to make the journey from apprentice to jockey.