Look At To Me facing the challenge of becoming the queen of Palermo

The brilliant winner of the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) stands as the heavy favorite for the Gran Premio Selección (G1), which will be contested this Saturday over 2000 meters. Robate Un Beso will seek revenge in the third installment of their rivalry, while five other ambitious contenders aim to pull off the upset

The authoritative manner in which Look At To Me (Dabster) put away the Gran Premio Polla de Potrancas (G1) established her at the very top of her division. Her four-length victory over the previously undefeated Robate Un Beso(Uncle Chuck) was a clear declaration of dominance that she will aim to extend this Saturday over 2000 meters in the Gran Premio Selección (G1), the race that crowns the top 3-year-old filly of the season at Palermo and serves as the centerpiece of a blockbuster card.

Representing Stud Al Adiyaat, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the filly arrives at this crucial assignment in peak condition. Juan Saldivia, her trainer, shared with Turf Diario that she completed an impeccable preparation, working brilliantly during morning gallops and giving every indication that she is ready for the biggest test of her career. The only lingering question revolves around the additional 400 meters, though her running style provides ample reason for optimism.

The Selección will also feature the compelling third installment of the rivalry between Look At To Me and Robate Un Beso, a rubber match with unfinished business. In the Clásico General Luis María Campos (G2), Robate Un Besoprevailed by a half-length; in the Polla, however, the chestnut reversed that result with resounding superiority, stripping her rival of her unbeaten record.

This decisive tiebreaker comes at a whole new distance, bringing demands that neither filly has yet faced in competition. Based on her latest effort, Look At To Me holds a distinct advantage in terms of classic stature, but Robate Un Beso has already proven she possesses the tools to beat her. How each adapts to the 2000-meter trip could ultimately decide the outcome.

The Great Fanny (The Great Day) sits right behind the two primary market leaders. The Haras Firmamentohomebred finished third in the Clásico Francisco J. Beazley (G2), 4 1/2 lengths behind Keratea (Hi Happy), one of the notable absentees from this year's Oaks. The Great Fanny was not yet at 100% fitness that afternoon, and with a more complete preparation under her belt, a significantly improved performance is expected. She boasts enough talent to pose a genuine threat.

Equal respect is due to Candy Única (Señor Candy), whose consistency has been one of the defining features of the filly classic process. Pedro Armada's pupil first made waves at La Plata, where she captured the Clásico Fortunato Damiani (G3), before validating her form at Palermo with a win in the Clásico Manuel J. Güiraldes (G3).

She subsequently placed fourth in the Campos and fifth in the Polla, finishing 8 3/4 lengths behind Look At To Mewhile holding her own against top-tier company. Her primary weapon will be her late stretch rally—a closing style that could prove particularly lethal if the early pace turns hot. Armada maintains full confidence in his filly's genuine nature, relying on her proven durability to capitalize on the longer distance and close the gap on the favorites.

The picture is quite different for Tantas Veces (Cosmic Trigger), who carries the colors of Stud El Olimpo. She arrives with an undefeated record but also carries plenty of question marks. She debuted with a narrow victory over 1400 meters on the San Isidro turf at the end of August, and now must navigate a track surface change, a 600-meter jump in distance, and a massive step up in class all at once. Her connections hold high hopes, but the challenge before her bears no resemblance to her initial maiden triumph.

Derry (Nicholas), meanwhile, comes in with a third-place finish in the Gran Premio Selección de Potrancas (G1) at La Plata, though she finished 10 lengths behind Personal Filly (Dabster). Her experience over route distances will work in her favor, though she will need to make a considerable step forward to contend for the top spots.

Coni Chic (Marconi) rounds out the field and appears, on paper, to face the toughest task. A winner in alternative-level company at San Isidro, she subsequently finished ninth in a conditional race over 1200 meters and fourth in the Beazley, without ever threatening the main contenders. Her form lines seem insufficient to tackle an assignment of this magnitude with realistic expectations.

The Gran Premio Selección will be run as the tenth race on the card at 6:00 p.m., featuring a purse of 70 million pesos for the winner out of a total prize pool of 144,200,000 pesos. The program, which also includes the Clásico Eduardo Casey (G2), will be broadcast live on Global Media Turf starting at 4:15 p.m.

The title of top 3-year-old filly of the season is on the line on the dirt at Hipódromo de Palermo. Look At To Meholds the upper hand and the chance to convert her brilliant Polla victory into an undisputed classic coronation; Robate Un Beso intends to spoil those plans. The battle lines are drawn for what promises to be an unmissable spectacle.