Mi Confesión Seeks a Repeat, Pulp Fiction Awaits as Also-Eligible; Winston Impresses in U.S. Debut

The Argentine-bred mare is set for Friday's seventh race at Santa Anita Park, where compatriot Pulp Fiction awaits a possible scratch to draw in, while Winston delivered a promising third-place finish in his North American debut

ARCADIA, California (Special to Turf Diario).- Friday's seventh race at Santa Anita Park carries special interest for Argentine and South American racing fans, with the possibility of featuring two notable representatives from the region.

Among the 10 confirmed starters is the promising Mi Confesión (Suggestive Boy), who will be seeking her second consecutive victory since arriving in Southern California. Meanwhile, Pulp Fiction (Daddy Long Legs) sits on the also-eligible list and could draw into the field should the race be transferred to the dirt, making her first start in several months and her debut for trainer Phil D'Amato.

Racing for Repole Stable, trained by Michael McCarthy, and with Venezuelan rider Emisael Jaramillo named to ride, Mi Confesión was installed as the 9-2 second choice on the morning line following her strong performance on April 26. That afternoon, after overcoming both her U.S. debut and a layoff, she captured a similar event by 1 3/4 lengths, suggesting she has begun to find her footing in her new surroundings.

Pulp Fiction, now carrying the colors of Resolute Racing, will have Chilean jockey Héctor Berríos aboard if she gains entry. The mare has not raced since the middle of last season, when she finished third in an allowance optional claimer at Laurel Park after an earlier effort at Keeneland that fell short of expectations. Her recent morning drills have been encouraging, though her participation remains dependent on weather conditions and a possible surface switch.

The early favorite is the French-bred The White Lady (The Grey Gatsby), another member of D'Amato's powerful stable. She enters off a victory in a comparable event and will attempt to repeat after displaying consistent form throughout her career in Europe before relocating to California.

Winston Offers Encouraging First U.S. Performance

Elsewhere, Argentine colt Winston turned in a highly respectable effort Wednesday in his first start on American soil, finishing third in the seventh race at Horseshoe Indianapolis, a $34,000 allowance contested over 1700 meters on turf.

One of the leading members of Argentina's 2025 crop in both Palermo and La Plata, the son of Forge, now trained by Horacio De Paz, closed strongly from near the back of the pack and finished just three lengths behind winner In the Tank (Astern) despite encountering minor traffic issues during his stretch rally.

The performance offered plenty of encouragement.

Not only was it his first appearance in the United States, but Winston had also never raced on turf during his Argentine campaign. Considering those circumstances, his ability to finish with interest against experienced local rivals suggests there may be considerable upside still to come.

For Argentine racing fans following their exports abroad, Wednesday's performance provided another reason for optimism. Winston appears to have adapted well to his new environment, and if this debut was any indication, bigger efforts may not be far away.