Maipú: 21 entries, the return of El Epecuén, and a courageous Lissette Island going for broke against the males
The defending champion headlines a highly compelling list of entries for the Gran Premio Maipú (G1) on November 14 at Palermo, where the standout sprinter will look to validate her extraordinary current form. Bailarín de Venecia, Claro Bombón, and Naranccello add further firepower to the lineup, while Le Cornette stands out as the major absentee due to a provisional suspension
Sprint action also promises to deliver a first-class spectacle on Gran Premio Nacional (G1) day, scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at Palermo. No fewer than 21 horses were entered for the Gran Premio Maipú (G1-1000m, dirt), a highly impressive turnout that features top-tier stars, led by El Epecuén (Il Campione), who is gearing up for his long-awaited return, and the outstanding Lissette Island (Lizard Island), now established as one of the major figures in the division.
El Epecuén stands as one of the main attractions of the contest as the defending champion and because he will be returning to action following a break of over four months. The representative of Stud Mamina, conditioned by Miguel Cafere, has been one of the division's benchmarks over recent seasons, and his credentials speak for themselves: 10 victories from 17 starts, with a total of 9 stakes triumphs, including 2 at the Grade 1 level.
Indeed, the 2025 Maipú was one of his iconic afternoons, when he bested Le Cornette (Emmanuel) by a length in a spectacular duel. Subsequently, last May, he captured the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1), defeating the formidable Labrado (Le Blues) by 3/4 of a length, and on July 10 he scored again in the Clásico Diamond Jubilee (L), leaving Lyon (Lenovo) a length behind in second.
He has not raced since, and the prospect of seeing him back in action is fantastic news for the division. At 6 years old,El Epecuén faces the task of proving that his talent remains completely intact and that he can continue competing at the highest level.
However, standing in his way could be a truly formidable rival. Lissette Island is enjoying an extraordinary run of form and comes off another masterclass in the Clásico Venezuela (G2), also contested over the 1,000-meter straight at Palermo. The daughter of Lizard Island, trained by Germán Knuttsen for Stud El Kaiser, drew off to win by 3 lengths over Vieja Amiga Mask (Mask), leaving an impression of absolute dominance.
With 10 wins from 18 career starts, 6 of them in stakes company, the mare has transformed into a focal point of dirt sprinting. She now faces a different kind of challenge as she takes on the best males in the division, but her supreme quality and consistent performances suggest she will be a leading contender.
Another heavyweight in the lineup is Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), who boasts 9 victories from 20 appearances and comes off a third-place finish in the Gran Premio Suipacha (G1) behind Es por Amor (Strategos) and Claro Bombón (Claro Oscuro). Prior to that, he had strung together consecutive stakes triumphs in the Clásico Prensa Hípica (L), Clásico Necochea (L), and Clásico Cyllene (G2), the latter on the San Isidro turf. The horse trained by María Fernanda Alvarez for Stud El Perejil is going through one of the best moments of his career as he chases his first top-flight victory.
Claro Bombón (Claro Oscuro) will also line up after surprising in the Suipacha to finish second, just 3/4 of a length behind Es por Amor. The representative of Stud Don Ariste proved once again his ability to compete with the best,and on a surface where he has already achieved strong results, he will attempt to make another step forward.
Naranccello (Le Blues), for his part, knows exactly what it takes to face top sprint company. He finished third to El Epecuén and Labrado in the Ciudad de Buenos Aires, less than a length behind the winner, and will look to capitalize on a new opportunity to secure the elusive Grade 1 victory that has so far escaped him.
Vieja Amiga Mask, runner-up to Lissette Island in the Venezuela, is another key entrant. The Stud Tinta Rojarunner had strung together three straight victories prior to that defeat and will have the opportunity to test herself once more against her recent conqueror.
The entry list also includes Lyon, who chased home El Epecuén in the Diamond Jubilee before finishing second to Ask for Wild (Angiolo) in the Handicap Día del Médico Veterinario. Ask for Wild, conditioned at Independenciain Rosario by Daniel Cima, is another contender seeking to make the jump from handicap company to the top level. El Luciano (Il Campione), fourth in the Suipacha, also brings genuine credentials to dream big.
El Madrugador (Il Campione), Claro Key (Claro Oscuro), Aspiring Artist (Angiolo), Esteño Pass (Distinctiv Passion), El Rayo Pass (Distinctiv Passion), El Riel (Grand Reward), Jugador Top (Winning Prize), Just Fun (Le Blues), Martinique (Señor Candy), Sirgo (Orpen), Stormy West (In the Dark), and The Outsider (Roman Joy) round out a large and diverse field featuring representatives from various training centers.
The most notable absence is, of course, Le Cornette, the Champion Sprinter who remains provisionally suspended by the San Isidro Racing Committee after methocarbamol was detected in a post-race sample following his fifth-place finish in the Gran Premio Suipacha.
The Maipú will offer a total purse of $89,460,000 ARS, with $42,000,000 ARS set aside for the winner—a substantial reward that matches the prestige of one of Argentine sprinting's greatest tests.
With El Epecuén aiming to defend his crown, Lissette Island operating at an exceptional level, Bailarín de Veneciachasing a maiden Grade 1 triumph, and a host of rivals ready to spring an upset, the 1,000 meters of the Maipúpromises to be one of the signature highlights of an afternoon that, between the Nacional and the Gran Premio Palermo (G1), will have plenty to offer.
