Mezzopiano won again, with the heart of those who never surrender
Overcoming a tendon injury and enduring a long road to recovery, the Haras Los Turfistas homebred found his way back to the winner's circle at San Isidro, reigniting a dream that once felt out of reach
A great deal of patience was required with Mezzopiano. Standing by him when an injury halted the brightest chapter of his career, starting over from scratch when a tendon once again said enough, and accepting that his recovery alone would dictate the timeline. For all those reasons, seeing him cross the wire in front this Thursday at San Isidro carried a deeply special meaning for the entire team at Stud Etoile. Behind that 1 1/2-length victory lay months of uncertainty, specialized treatments, and tireless patience—and a racehorse who still had plenty left to give.
With Luciano Recuero in the saddle, the bay homebred by Haras Los Turfistas ran down the pacesetter Midnight Runner (Forge) and covered the dirt mile in a very sharp 1m36s67/100. He won convincingly, offering a performance that recalled the formidable runner who back in 2024 held a place among the premier older horses in the country. The hope and joy of his owners finally found the long-awaited picture in the winner's circle.
That 2024 campaign had clearly demonstrated his class through victories in the Clásico Perú (G2), Clásico Italia (G3), and Clásico Malvinas Argentinas (L). He had also missed by narrow margins against El Kodigo (Equal Stripes)—both in conditional company and in the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1)—while adding a fourth-place finish in the Gran Premio Copa de Oro (G1). He possessed every argument to dream big, with the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) looming on his horizon. But injury struck before he could reach the big event.
From that moment on, competition moved to a secondary plane. First came the imperative of getting him sound and healthy. The tendon issue demanded various treatments, including stem cell therapies, in a process that was anything but linear: a re-injury forced another complete shutdown. Just as a return seemed to be nearing, it was time to wait all over again.
Along that grueling path, he transitioned from the barn of Eduardo Tadei to that of Gerardo Alteño. Daily routines changed and months rolled by, until August 21 when he was finally able to return to action. He finished eighth. On September 4, he ran fifth. Those were merely the initial steps following a prolonged absence—races meant to regain timing and confidence, to feel like a racehorse again doing what he once did so well.
This Thursday brought the ultimate reward. Even the scales added a remarkable detail: Mezzopiano tipped the beam at 530 kilos, roughly 40 kilos heavier than during his peak form and 12 kilos above his weigh-in for his comeback race. Instead of lightening up with racing, he continued to gain mass while sharpening his speed. This time, that physical development translated directly onto the track.
There are horses with whom the bond deepens through the wait. One learns to celebrate every minor improvement, a completed workout, the simple possibility of seeing their name on an entry sheet again. Those close to Mezzopianoknow how much of that went into this victory. The finish line encapsulated in a matter of seconds all the quiet satisfactions that for so long had to be searched for away from the racetrack.
Now a door reopens toward stakes company. His background and the manner of this victory justify renewed ambition, though his soundness will ultimately dictate how far and at what pace he can proceed. After so much effort, every future step deserves to be taken with the exact same care that made this comeback possible.
For now, Mezzopiano gave his connections another moment of pure joy. He returned to running well, digging deep in a duel, and coming out on top. That tremendous heart he displayed so many times against top-class rivals remains fully intact. This Thursday, after everything he went through, seeing him respond once more was the most beautiful sight of all.
