Naranccello Defeated Le Cornette and Revived Memories of the Outstanding Mare La Esperanza
- Turf Diario
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Great-grandson of the champion mare, he captured the Clásico Coronel Pringles (G3) for the biggest victory of his career; Alfredo Gaitán Dassié provides the link between generations
Martín Montoya threw his arm high into the air in celebration, and with good reason. Aboard Naranccello, he had just captured the Clásico Coronel Pringles (G3) over 1000 meters on the dirt at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, defeating none other than reigning sprint champion Le Cornette (Emmanuel) and cementing his place among Argentina's elite speedsters.
With each start, the son of Le Blues has continued to gain experience and improve, seemingly reaching a new level with every performance. He was always regarded as a colt of considerable ability, and now he is beginning to fulfill those expectations.
Following his strong effort in the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1), where he finished a close third behind El Epecuén (Il Campione) and three-time champion Labrado (Le Blues), Naranccello once again finished ahead of Le Cornette, who had been fourth that afternoon after encountering trouble at the break.
This time, the chestnut champion enjoyed a clean trip and was able to run his race, but he simply lacked the necessary reserves to withstand the challenge of the younger colt.
Naranccello did not produce a devastating burst of speed. Instead, he gradually wore down his rival with a relentless and sustained advance from the 300-meter mark to the wire.
In the end, there was a half-length between winner and runner-up, while Martinique (Señor Candy) also closed well to complete the trifecta another half-length back, with the clock stopping at a sharp :57.10.
Contra Pronóstico (Daddy Long Legs) finished fourth, while the returning Lindo Tono Pass (Distinctiv Passion)checked in last, though not beaten far.
Bred by Francisco Pérez under the banner of Establecimiento Mariana Eva, the same colors made famous by Cool Day (John F. Kennedy), Naranccello carries exceptional sprinting bloodlines.
His third dam is the phenomenal La Esperanza (Bold Forli), an undefeated six-time winner who captured the Gran Premio Félix de Alzaga Unzué (G1) and was crowned both Horse of the Year and Champion Sprinter in 1990.
That remarkable mare was trained by Alfredo Gaitán Dassié.
More than three decades later, it is Gaitán Dassié once again who oversees the preparation of Naranccello.
That connection between generations feels far too fitting to be mere coincidence.
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