Norte Gives Sire Leofric His First Graded Stakes Success in Argentina

The bay representing Stud Doctor S. captured the Clásico Fortunato Novara (G3), while El Ernesto was disqualified from second to fifth

Norte was perfectly handled by jockey Franco Menéndez / HLP

LA PLATA.— Argentine racing is going through a stretch of unpredictable stakes results. Following the upset victories on Saturday by Full Keynote (Full Mast) and Miss Talento (Equal Talent) at San Isidro, and Embozada Rim (Remote) on Sunday at Palermo, it was now the turn for Tuesday’s Clásico Fortunato Novara (G3-1600m, normal dirt) at this city’s racetrack, where two of the three longest shots on the board ended up leading the field.

The victory went to Norte, who improved significantly from his previous fifth-place finish in the Clásico Oswaldo Aranha (L) to achieve the most important win of his career. In doing so, he provided his sire, Leofric, with his first black-type success in the country, joining the list of successors to the Candy Ride (Ride the Rails) sire line to reach stakes-producing status.

The Stud Doctor S. colt traveled within striking distance of the early pace set by Paraná Miní (Winning Prize) and Vampiro Zen (Zensational), beginning to apply serious pressure in the closing stages.

While the winner was taking command on the outside, El Ernesto (Señor Candy) forced his way through on the inside from a very compromised position, nearly causing Vampiro Zen to clip heels in his search for racing room. He launched an attack on Norte but had to settle for second, a half-length back, leaving the impression that with a cleaner trip, the result might have been different.

However, El Ernesto was subsequently disqualified to fifth place due to those incidents. Consequently, the outsider Emblematicu (Lucullan) inherited the runner-up spot, with Paraná Miní (Winning Prize) promoted to third. The final time was a solid 1:37.78.

Bred by Haras Los Turfistas and saddled by Jonathan Fredes, Norte provided jockey Franco Menéndez with another graded stakes victory—the second at this level for the professional (who was the 2020 Apprentice of the Year) in his career.

Norte has now established himself among the top milers in La Plata, though the division remains wide open for future encounters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynpvamILLeI