Neon Boy Wires the Field with Authority in the Dirt Junior

The Abolengo-Bred Colt Returns to Winning Ways on the Biggest Stage, Kicking Off Estrellas Day in Style

Neon Boy Stays Resolute on the Front End / HAPSA

The Hipódromo La Punta has long been a benchmark for provincial racing in Argentina, having adopted an official racing program from its inception—though many of its races are now non-graded—and it’s no surprise that horses competing there often make their mark when stepping up to the big leagues.

The second running of the Clásico Estrellas Dirt Junior (1300m, dirt), reserved for juveniles with form in regional circuits and offering a lucrative purse of ARS 10,000,000, found its winner in a colt who had already hinted at his potential at La Punta.

Neon Boy (Cosmic Trigger—Niner Spirit, by Sunray Spirit) went straight to the lead and never looked back, holding off the persistent challenge of favored Chaplin (Nicholas) to score by three-quarters of a length in an excellent time of 1:16.45. Another six lengths back came Impregnado Sr (Señor Candy) to round out the trifecta.

Ridden with complete confidence by Francisco Leandro for trainer Lucas D. Calvo, Neon Boy benefited from the awkward start of Opi Nails (Remote), the filly who had beaten him handily last out in the Clásico Estrellas Provinciales (L) at La Punta.

Bred by Haras Abolengo, Neon Boy is by the prolific Cosmic Trigger (Lizard Island) and was sold by the farm at one of last year’s auctions held at the San Luis track, where he had made a perfect debut when capturing the Clásico Copa La Punta Juniors.

His dam, Niner Spirit, was herself a stakes winner and is a half-sister to the outstanding runner Codringer, who—perhaps not coincidentally—was also by Cosmic Trigger.