Opinium and Negro de Pergamino, a rivalry set for its third chapter in the Embrujo

The colts stand tied at one win apiece in their head-to-head matchups and will square off once again, this time over 1,600 meters on the turf. Real World looms as a highly dangerous third contender, while the San Isidro card will also mark the start of the racing season for two-year-olds

One apiece. That is where the head-to-head record stands between Opinium and Negro de Pergamino, two of the standout colts from the 2023 crop who will renew their rivalry this Sunday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, where the Clásico Embrujo (L-1,600m, turf) headlines an attractive program featuring strong allowance action and a special added ingredient: the seasonal debut of two-year-olds.

The third clash between the pair brings an extra wrinkle, as both will tackle the mile for the very first time—200 meters farther than in either of their previous encounters. The added distance stands as the primary question mark for two colts who have displayed considerable ability to date and now aim to continue climbing the stakes ladder.

The opening chapter of their rivalry was written in the Clásico Vilmar Sanguinetti, when Negro de Pergamino (Hi Happy, 54 kg) edged Opinium (King Guillermo, 55 kg) by three-quarters of a length in a tight finish. Revenge arrived in the Clásico Candy Ride (L), also contested over 1,400 meters but over heavy turf, where Opinium asserted his superiority with a two-and-a-half-length triumph.

They now meet once again, with Rodrigo Bascuñán aboard Elvio Bortule’s trainee and Wilson Moreyra in the irons for Jorge Mayansky Neer’s colorbearer. Both enter with three career victories and ample credentials to contend for another score.

Still, the Embrujo is by no means guaranteed to be a two-horse affair. Real World (Cityscape, 56.5 kg) brings more than enough merit to jump squarely into the mix, particularly coming off an excellent fourth-place finish in the Gran Premio San Isidro (G1), where he finished less than seven lengths behind Colifato Novo and within three lengths of category stalwart Vundú, while leaving What a Man, Full Keynote, and Don Griego in his wake.

Trained by Edgardo Martucci, Real World has shown steady progression and now looks to take another step forward over a trip he knows thoroughly, with Gonzalo Borda back aboard.

Breaking from the outside post will be Yak Sport (Glory Seattle, 57 kg), a prime candidate to seize the early lead.Miguel Medina’s trainee exits a sixth-place effort in the Handicap Alan Breck, though prior to that he finished runner-up to El Ernesto in the Clásico Orange (L). Should he manage to dictate terms and control the pace on his own schedule, he will prove tough to reel in.

Rounding out the lineup is Grikor (King Guillermo), who dropped into allowance company after coming up short in the Dos Mil Guineas (G1) and the Martínez, finishing third behind Benvolio. Carrying just 50.5 kilograms, he steps back into stakes company hoping to recapture his form.

Beyond the feature, San Isidro will feature another major focal point with the debut of the two-year-olds. Two 800-meter sprints down the straight turf course are on tap—one for colts drawing eight runners, and another restricted to fillies with just five juveniles set to line up.

A new chapter thus opens for the 2024 crop, as the early hopes of owners, breeders, and trainers begin taking shape on the track—an added attraction on a card that promises plenty beyond its main event.