On an Unusual Wednesday, Palermo Features Two Handicaps on the Card
- Turf Diario
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Bank One the One to Beat Over 1000 Meters in the Utópico; Blessed Shine Takes on Causeway Girl in the Potrizaris
In what has become an increasingly erratic racing calendar, the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo will stage an uncommon Wednesday meeting, highlighted by the Handicap Utópico (1000 meters, dirt) and the Handicap Potrizaris(1400 meters, dirt).
Never before have there been so many changes to racing days at Palermo, where fans have long been accustomed to a steady rhythm of tradition. The current disarray—beyond the occasional forced adjustment—stands as an issue the authorities must address, not to please one another, but for the overall good of the sport.
Turning to the action itself, with 11 races scheduled, the first feature comes in the Handicap Utópico, for 5-year-olds and up. By virtue of his class and consistency, Bank One (Lenovo, 57 kg) looks a slight cut above the rest despite drawing the inside post. Winner of the Clásico Juan Lapistoy over the San Isidro turf straight in April, he most recently finished eighth behind the crack Labrado (Le Blues) in the G1 Gran Premio Suipacha, and had posted several strong efforts prior to that.
Challengers emerging from the conditional ranks include Santo Federal (Santillano, 56.5), Igniter (Lenovo, 52), and Say the Truth (Long Island Sound, 53.5)—the latter pair particularly dangerous under light weights.
Later on, the Handicap Potrizaris, for fillies and mares four and up, shapes as a competitive affair. Blessed Shine(Honour Devil, 59.5) arrives in top form, though her impost has become a significant hurdle. The Stud Al Adiyaat runner seeks her third consecutive handicap victory, having captured the Laguna Blanca and Star and Stripes Handicapsunder similar conditions.
Her main rival appears to be Causeway Girl (Dabster, 58), a dual stakes winner who will receive weight from the favorite. Now trained by José Cristóbal Blanco, she made a promising debut for her new barn when finishing second—beaten only half a neck by Increpante (Sigfrid)—in the Clásico Orbit (L), signaling she’s ready to return to winning ways.
