Lissette Island seeks a return to the winner's circle, but La Gran Furtiva and G1 winner Roshita make their returns

High expectations build ahead of Saturday's Clásico México (G3), to be contested over 1,000 meters, featuring a field of 12 female sprinters

From experiencing the longest race on its calendar—marked by Don Logrado's (Fortify) victory in Friday's Clásico General Pueyrredón (G3) over the Hipódromo de San Isidro turf—Argentine racing will shift abruptly to pure speed, as Saturday's card at the Hipódromo de Palermo features the Clásico México (G3) as its main highlight, a 1,000-meter dash bringing together a compelling field of fillies and mares aged 3 and up.

Several compelling storylines drive the intrigue surrounding the contest. For instance, it marks the season's first generational clash between 3-year-olds and older rivals, courtesy of sophomore entry Venus Win (Gershwin); it serves as the comeback spot for the talented La Gran Furtiva; and it features the stellar return of Roshita (Gouveneur Morris), who spent several months as the top 2-year-old filly of 2025 on the local dirt and now seeks to reinvent herself as a sprinter. All this comes alongside established talents such as Lissette Island (Lizard Island), one of the current benchmarks in the female sprint division.

It is precisely the latter who emerges as the chief contender to capture victory, despite drawing an awkward post 1—the very stall from which Le Cornette (Emmanuel) broke on Monday to take the Clásico Paraguay (G3).

A multiple graded stakes winner, the Córdoba-bred mare comes off back-to-back runner-up efforts: first falling by just a head to Free Prize (Winning Prize) in the Clásico República de Panamá (G3) over this course, and most recently missing by only a half-neck on the Jockey Club turf against Enjoy Dancing (Hi Happy) in the Clásico Ocurrencia(G3) two weeks ago.

La Gran Furtiva boasts a outstanding career record and returns following a 252-day layoff, having signed off with a brilliant fifth-place effort—beaten just 2 1/4 lengths by El Fortín (Il Campione)—in the Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1).

To speak of Roshita is to mention the winner of the Clásico Saturnino J. Unzué (G2) and the Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1). She failed to deliver in her previous two starts over the mile, but now ventures onto the straight course with high expectations, looking to launch a fresh campaign.

La Bella Otero (Daddy Long Legs) has not quite replicated her peak form of late, yet remains capable of a resurgence at any moment. Meanwhile, Santa Calma (Qué Vida Buena), Stranger Key (Strategos), Eleven Mile (Il Campione), Bichita de Luz (Fragotero), Verdadera Pass (Distinctiv Passion), and Forever Win (Full Mast) will all ensure defeat comes at a heavy price.