Lissette Island returns to La Plata Thursday with the goal of keeping her momentum going

The Córdoba-trained heads back to the course where she most recently scored decisively in the Clásico Caballerizas Argentinas, this time targeting the Handicap Haras Santa Inés

Lissette Island will look to reprise that winning performance / HLP

LA PLATA.- Opening Thursday’s double-feature card at La Plata, the Handicap Haras Santa Inés will be contested over 1,000 meters for fillies four years old and up with three or more wins.

Traveling from Córdoba is the consistent Lissette Island (Lizard Island), hoping not to be hampered by top weight of 59.5 kilograms. The El Káiser homebred returns to the course where she scored in style late in June in the Clásico Caballerizas Argentinas, defeating Bayonne (Puerto Escondido) by four lengths in a sharp 59.30 for the distance.

Likely to race on or near the lead, she will need to be mindful of the fractions, as she faces several rivals capable of making life difficult. Chief among them is High Rimout (Remote, 58), who arrives in excellent form herself. Her most recent effort came in the Especial Bolivia, which she took comfortably by three lengths over Ventaja Clara (Sardinero). Previously, she was second in the Clásico Diego M. Argüello and third in the Especial Curtida Nistel, confirming her quality.

Another contender to respect is Gurisa Mask (Mask, 58), who disappointed in the Especial Bolivia—finishing sixth—but had previously placed third in both the Caballerizas Argentinas and Diego M. Argüello, and was second in the Arturo A. Bullrich (G3).

From the allowance ranks comes Furiosa Popular (Furious Key, 56.5), who defeated Distinta Rim (Remote) by 1 1/2 lengths in a solid 1:01.93 on heavy going.

After three straight wins, Maylena (Qué Vida Buena, 55.5) finished fifth in the Especial Curtida Nistel in her first try at the higher level, 6 1/2 lengths behind Señora Bagaces (Lizard Island), and now looks to improve on that effort with the benefit of experience.

Curiosa Hit (Hit It a Bomb, 54.5) and La de Dudi (Aspire, 54) round out the field, both aiming to find improvement from mid-pack positions.