Norge, facing a trial by fire in a promising Final Meeting
The Brazilian-bred runner has won four of his last five starts and shapes as one of the strong contenders in Wednesday's 1,200-meter handicap on the dirt at San Isidro. A field of eight will go to the post in an open contest
Choosing a standout favorite for the Handicap Final Meeting, Wednesday's feature race at San Isidro, will be no easy task. Only eight runners have been entered for the 1,200-meter dirt contest reserved for horses aged 5 and up, and nearly every contender brings strong credentials to the table. Between stakes winners, rapidly improving runners, and proven veterans seeking a return to form, parity dominates the lineup.
Brazilian-bred Norge emerges as an intriguing prospect. At 6 years old, the son of Agnes Gold is enjoying a formidable run: he has captured four of his last five starts and comes off a dominant seven-length victory in allowance company over the same track and distance, stopping the clock in an impressive 1:09.48. He will need to validate that upward trajectory against stiffer competition, though his assigned 56-kilo package fuels high expectations. Martín La Palma will be in the irons.
One of his main adversaries will be Say It Fast (Cosmic Trigger, 57.5kg), who comes in following a runner-up finish behind Lonely Boy (Remote) in the Handicap APHARA at Palermo. While beaten six lengths on that occasion, that second-place effort puts him in a prime position to launch a winning bid. Partnered with Brian Enrique, he possesses the tools to factor heavily in the outcome.
The most compelling wildcard in the field is Hiran (Santillano). A decorated multiple stakes winner with victories in the Clásico Lamadrid (L), Clásico Gentlemen, Clásico Santiago Lawrie (G3), and Clásico General Viamonte (G3)—all over the 1,000-meter straight course—he now steps away from the straight sprints for the first time to tackle 1,200 meters around a turn. His class is beyond question, but he enters off subpar performances and must concede weight to all rivals under the top burden of 61 kilos. If he adapts to the two-turn layout, his back class could easily prove decisive.
El Interventor (Il Campione) also boasts form that is hard to overlook. He has won three of his last four outings,including back-to-back victories, and most recently outstayed Mercato Sea (Il Mercato) by a length in allowance company. Carrying 56 kilos and sporting enviable current form, he gets the perfect opportunity to prove he is ready to make the grade in handicap company.
Attention must also be paid to Flaminius (Hi Happy, 54kg), winner of the Handicap Candy Stripes, where he drew off by four lengths over the seasoned campaigner Despacito (Sabayón). While he benefited from a featherweight 51.5 kilos that afternoon and faces a stiffer task today, he remains nicely weighted. Don Pichi (Qué Vida Buena, 56.5kg),meanwhile, knows what it takes to win at this level, having captured the Handicap Academia Nacional de Agronomía y Veterinaria, though he subsequently disappointed when trailing the field in fifth in the Handicap Mesa Alvear.
Glorioso Rim (Remote, 54.5kg) comes off a solid third-place effort in that same Handicap Mesa Alvear, finishing close behind the top two, and holds legitimate chances of his own. Completing the roster is La Pampa representative Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero, 56.5kg), a battle-tested veteran whose track record features a victory in the Clásico Día de la Bandera. Having placed fourth in the Clásico Refinado Tom (L), he remains highly dangerous under a reasonable handicap weight.
