Negro de Pergamino and Opinium, a rematch that lights up the afternoon
The Clásico Candy Ride (L) brings together six 3-year-old colts over 1400 meters on the diagonal turf course; Lunfardobrings stakes experience, while Listen tests himself over a longer distance
A mere three-quarters of a length separated Negro de Pergamino (Hi Happy) from Opinium (King Guillermo) in the Clásico Vilmar Sanguinetti. Almost 40 days later, that margin is back under debate: Wednesday’s Clásico Candy Ride (L-1400m, turf) will grant them the opportunity to settle scores, surrounded by several familiar faces and two new contenders with arguments of their own.
The diagonal turf contest stands as the sole centerpiece of a program severely lacking in overall quality. Attractive betting options are scarce throughout the rest of the Hipódromo de San Isidro card, but the feature race at least promises an entertaining showdown among 3-year-olds seeking to establish themselves in stakes company. In fact, a prospect could emerge from this field to target the Gran Premio Joaquín S. de Anchorena (G1), even with plenty of road left to travel.
For now, Negro de Pergamino holds the advantage of recent history among several of the runners. His victory in the Vilmar Sanguinetti gives him a solid foundation to lead the consensus choices, though his margin over Opinium was slim enough to leave the rematch wide open. Repeating that performance would confirm his superiority and represent another step forward in a phase where every start helps define a colt's ultimate ceiling.
For Opinium, the unfinished business is clear. He finished close to the winner while drawing well clear of the remainder, a combination that allows him to approach this rematch with well-founded confidence. That three-quarter length deficit is far from insurmountable, and the Candy Ride presents an ideal stage to reverse the placings. Between the two, they absorb most of the intrigue in a contest whose shared prelude promises another tight finish.
Also returning are Earth Day (Cosmic Trigger) and Cautivador (Pneumatic), who finished third and last, respectively, on that occasion. The former ended four lengths adrift of Opinium and will need to step up to get fully involved in the finish; the latter faces an even steeper hill to climb after trailing the field. For both, taking on the same rivals again will serve to gauge how much ground they have gained since. Prior form leaves them chasing, but they hold the opportunity to deliver a different answer this time.
The presence of Lunfardo (Daddy Long Legs) adds a substantial element to the tactical equation. He comes off a sixth-place effort behind Fletcher (Gershwin) in the Clásico Miguel Cané (G2), a performance he will seek to rebound from by drawing on his previous triumph in the Clásico Old Man (G3), where he held off El Gibson (Uncle Chuck) by a neck. That victory anchors his credentials: he has already proven capable of winning at the group level and, if he regains that form, possesses the firepower to disrupt the Sanguinetti rematch.
Listen (Le Blues), the final runner, enters with two victories and a third-place effort in the Clásico Propietarios (L) over 1000 meters, finishing one and three-quarter lengths behind Lunático Pass (Distinctiv Passion). Having previously won over 1200 meters, he now faces a significant test in distance. His stamina over 1400 meters remains the main question mark in a stakes race that holds virtually all the quality on the afternoon card.
