Martana Delivers a Show in Palermo’s Clásico Chile

The Fortify filly drew off by 12 lengths over La Guernica, returned to the winner’s circle, and reaffirmed her excellent ability

Martana Turned Into a Machine Through the Stretch / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Her credentials left little doubt, and so it came as no surprise the way Martana (Fortify) stamped her authority Monday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, running away with the Clásico Chile (G2, 2200m, wet dirt) to headline the track’s graded double that opened a new week of racing in Argentina.

Returning from more than two months on the sidelines—and in the very race where she had finished third a year ago—the Stud-Haras Santa Inés homebred had her revenge, finding the winner’s circle again after strong runner-up efforts in both the Gran Premio Criadores (G1) and Estrellas Distaff (G1).

It was a show of dominance from start to finish against just five rivals, rewarding her overwhelming favoritism at the windows, where she was dispatched at 1.20. With Martín Valle aboard, the bay tracked pacesetter Poker Mommy(Daddy Long Legs), gradually tightening the screws before challenging in earnest around the final turn.

After fractions of :26.70, :49.86, and 1:14.22, Martana ranged up alongside the gray and took command in upper stretch. Hugging the rail, she powered away relentlessly, opening daylight with every stride until the wire.

The photochart recorded a 12-length margin over La Guernica (Il Campione), who ran the best race of her career to snatch second by a half-length from a tiring Poker Mommy. The remainder of the field was strung out, with the winner stopping the clock in 2:16.71 after splits of 1:39.10 and 2:04.06.

Trained by Enrique Martín Ferro, Martana has been one of the mainstays among Palermo’s stayers over the past year, her only real setback coming when she tried her luck on turf in the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1) at San Isidro. Her productive campaign has now delivered victories not only in the Clásico Chile but also in the Clásico Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich (G2) and in the Handicaps Jorge Héctor Iglesias and Miss Grillo, all between 1800 and 2200 meters.

Martana has also displayed notable versatility throughout her career, having won on debut over 1000 meters and adding successes at both 1200 and 1400.

She is out of Marsigliese (Mutakddim), winner of the Clásico Diego White (G3), and a half-sister to Marina Romea(Orpen)—dam of the talented Marignac (Equal Stripes)—as well as to the unforgettable Malpensa (Orpen). The latter captured the Gran Premio Copa de Plata (G1), Gilberto Lerena (G1), and Criadores (G1) before producing in Japan the outstanding Satono Diamond (Deep Impact) and becoming the granddam of Dura Erede (Duramente), among others.

Looking ahead, the Clásico Ramón Biaus (G2, 2200m, dirt) at Palermo appears the logical next stop, with connections then facing the decision of whether to attempt turf once again in the Copa de Plata.

Those questions will be answered in due time. On this Monday, Martana’s story was one of pure spectacle—winning in brilliant fashion at Palermo.