“No News, Good News”: Calm Confidence from Team Argentina

There’s no drama, no noise, just quiet belief as Need You Tonight and Vundu carry the sky-blue colors into Saturday’s Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) at Gávea

Vundu During One of His Morning Walks at Gávea / JCB

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (Special to Turf Diario)— The days keep rolling by in the Cidade Maravilhosa, and so far, no news has been good news for the 16 horses set to contest Saturday’s 41st renewal of the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) at Hipódromo da Gávea, to be run over 2000 meters on turf for a purse of $300,000.

That old saying—“No news, good news”—has proven especially fitting for the international contingent housed in Barn 11 at Villa Lagoa, the section of the facility reserved for foreign competitors by the Jockey Club Brasileiro, complete with every possible comfort. Both the accommodations and the staff have earned unanimous praise from all delegations. Augusto Olivares, one of the Peruvian trainers, summed it up perfectly: “I’ve been part of the Latino several times, but I don’t remember ever being treated this well.”

The daily routine is simple: from 4:30 to 5:30 a.m., horses take to the track for their morning exercise, and in the afternoon, each walks for about an hour between 4 and 5 p.m. Media access to the area had been open through Thursday morning, before being reduced to 45-minute sessions to ensure calm and focus ahead of raceday.

As for the Argentine representatives, both Vundu (Suggestive Boy) and Need You Tonight (Hat Trick) continue to impress with their attitude and condition, showing no ill effects from the trip and pleasing their connections with every move. The latter had a minor shoe adjustment on Wednesday, but nothing beyond routine maintenance.

The Chilean, Peruvian, and Uruguayan contenders also seem to have handled the journey well, adapting smoothly and eating and drinking without issue—small details that, in international competition, can make all the difference.

Nearly all the participants are now comfortably settled in Rio de Janeiro as anticipation builds for the big event. The Jockey Club Brasileiro has also released the official race card, which will begin at 2 p.m. and conclude at 8 p.m., with the Latinoamericano as the grand finale.

This will mark just the second time the prestigious continental race is staged under the lights, the first having been the 2021 edition at Maroñas in Uruguay, won by Aero Trem (Shanghai Bobby). As part of the World Pool coordinated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, scheduling was adjusted to suit both hemispheres—adding an extra touch of international flair to an already global celebration of South American racing.