Nassau Targets the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha for His Next Assignment

The son of Forge, fresh off his victory in the Clásico Vicente L. Casares (G3), will return to La Plata on November 19. The Maldotti stable has ruled out a start in the Gran Premio Copa de Oro (G1) to target El Bosque's marquee event, where a rematch with Sono Perfetto could be on the horizon

The decision has been made. After weighing the options that opened up following his impressive victory in the Clásico Vicente L. Casares (G3), Nassau has set his sights on his next target: the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1), to be run on November 19 at Hipódromo de La Plata. Juan Carlos and Juan Sebastián Maldotti, who condition the colt, opted to return to the venue where the bay first began building his reputation, putting a direct path to the turf on hold—at least for now.

Following his decisive, wire-to-wire triumph over 2500 meters on the main track at Palermo, the Stud Macondorunner was faced with a crossroads: either target the Gran Premio Copa de Oro (G1) as a stepping stone toward the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), or focus all efforts on the Dardo Rocha, the premier event on the La Plataracing calendar. The latter path ultimately prevailed, though the dream of lining up in San Isidro's flagship race remains alive; a strong showing on November 19 could keep that door wide open.

The decision makes logical sense from multiple angles. Nassau knows the dirt track at El Bosque like few others, having established himself as one of the standout juveniles of his generation there under the care of Luciano Cerutti. However, his transfer to the Maldotti barn marked a clear turning point. He gained consistency, matured, and made a leap in class that now places him among the leading stayers in the country.

His victory in the Vicente L. Casares offered concrete proof of that evolution. At Palermo, he led from gate to wire, looking completely comfortable over the marathon distance with a composure that validated his steadily rising trajectory. Prior to that, back at La Plata, he had already captured the Clásico Federación Argentina de Jockey Clubes e Hipódromos, where he edged out the formidable Sono Perfetto by a nose in a thrilling finish.

His rivalry with the son of Tetaze looks set to add a compelling new chapter. Sono Perfetto had previously bested him in the Gran Premio General Belgrano (G2) at Palermo and recently returned to his best form in the Clásico OSAF(G3), which he dominated with absolute authority on a sloppy track, pulling away to a 13-length victory over Elegir Bien (Fortify). That performance instantly installed him as one of the chief contenders for November's showcase.

The field could also feature Teobaldo (Uncle Chuck), the fresh winner of the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires(G3), which closed out the local Triple Crown series. While his entry is not yet confirmed, the prospect of his inclusion adds further intrigue to a lineup gathering serious depth.

Bit by bit, the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha is taking shape. Bringing together several of the top dirt stayers in the region restores to La Plata's marquee festival the prestige and excitement it richly deserves. Nassau has already chosen where to play his next high-stakes card. And, if all goes according to the Maldotti team's plans, that journey to El Bosque could serve as the springboard for an even more ambitious campaign aiming toward the Pellegrini.