María F. Alvarez: “Palermo is our home, and winning the Polla is a dream”

After capturing the Polla de Potrillos (G1) with Gardel Pass, she sums up the magnitude of an achievement that had long seemed elusive—a special victory for a team that lives and breathes racing and never stopped believing

Walter Suárez, María F. Alvarez, and Alfredo Camogli receiving the trophy from Antonio Bullrich / HAPSA

By Simón Mitagtein

In an Argentine turf world where women are still a minority, especially in positions of major responsibility, María F. Álvarez has just written one of those chapters that will remain forever. Together with Wálter Suárez, her partner and longtime collaborator, they achieved the most important victory of their successful careers with Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1), the first leg of the Triple Crown at Hipódromo de Palermo.

“We just won the Polla, which is every trainer’s dream,” she confesses, still moved. “Walter and I have always worked for this: to have a special colt, one capable of competing in these races, and this time it came together. We had run it three times before, even winning the La Plata edition with Transónico (E Dubai), but Palermo had always eluded us. Until now.”

Since Gardel Pass arrived at the stud, everything went perfectly. “He’s a gentle, classy colt who takes everything in stride. After winning the Clásico Goenaga (G2) in La Plata, we decided to give him a break. We skipped the Estrellas because he wasn’t entered, and took him to the Cané (G2), where he finished third on a heavy track that didn’t suit him. We knew the mile of the Polla would be a challenge, but we were confident he’d arrive well prepared. And he did.”

Planning was key. Alongside Alfredo Camogli, Gardel Pass’s owner, they mapped every step with patience and precision. “With colts, you have to know how to wait. Alfredo knows a lot, and we always make decisions together, thinking of what’s best for the horse. We debuted him at 800 meters because El Alfalfar’s genetics scream speed, but we were sure he’d respond over a longer distance. And we weren’t wrong.”

The victory also carried an immeasurable symbolic value. Palermo is their home, the place they feel they belong. “It was unlike anything else,” María admits, already with more than 10 G1 wins to her name. “Winning the Polla here, in Palermo, is a dream come true. I felt an emotion I’ve never felt before. To enjoy it with the people we love, with Alfredo, who trusted us all these years, is incredible. We also gave him his first Polla win as an owner.”

Gardel Pass’s future is still undecided. “The horse recovered perfectly after the effort,” she explains. “Later this week, we’ll meet with Alfredo to decide the next step. The Jockey Club is nearby, on turf, and the distance won’t be an issue, but we won’t rush. He’s in perfect health, and we believe we haven’t even reached his ceiling yet. I remember Furious Key (Key Deputy), a great horse who lacked the health to handle the distance, yet still won 17 races.”

Meanwhile, at the stud, the atmosphere is different. “We usually work on Sundays, and the week after the Polla felt different. The team knew we had accomplished something big, something special. Because winning the Polla de Potrillos isn’t like winning any other race.”

María Álvarez rarely seeks the spotlight, but her role is fundamental. She oversees the stud, manages every detail, and coordinates the daily work of more than 60 horses in training. “Walter is the mastermind behind this victory. He’s the trainer, but we work as a team. I handle the stud, record all the workouts, make sure they eat well, and check every detail. We’re a machine, and this win is the reward for years of joint effort.”

In a turf world where women in leadership roles are still rare, the story of María F. Álvarez and Gardel Passrepresents much more than a result. It is the triumph of perseverance, patience, and silent hard work. It is proof that dreams, when worked for, can indeed come true.