Palermo: Everything is ready for a week with its sights set on May 1

No fewer than 7 stakes races will take place at the downtown track over its next 3 meetings, with Saturday's card standing out featuring the Otoño (G2), the Bullrich (G2), the Luro (G2), and the Unzué (G2)

Martana winning the Ciudad de Montevideo, at Maroñas / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

An important week of stakes races is coming to the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, the first step toward the highly anticipated May 1 meeting, headlined by the Gran Premio República Argentina (G1).

This Saturday, the downtown track will host the opening stage of the Campeonatos de Oro with the Clásico Otoño (G2)and the Clásico Arturo R. y Arturo Bullrich (G2), both contested over 2,000 meters. As is tradition, they will be accompanied by the Clásico Saturnino J. Unzué (G2) and the Clásico Santiago Luro (G2) (both 1,200m on dirt) for fillies and colts, respectively, continuing the selection process for the new generation on this track.

The 7 entries for the Otoño were all confirmed. The field will include: El Emporio (Il Campione), Sono Perfetto(Tetaze), the G1 winner Unico Happy (Hi Happy), Endor Rye (Endorsement), Brasilero Francisco (Lizard Island), Ruso Real (In the Dark), and Speedmaster (Fortify).

In the Bullrich, expectations are high for the clash between Charm (Strategos)—the undisputed 2025 champion filly who was scratched at the gate on the afternoon of the GP Copa de Plata (G1)—and Martana (Fortify), coming off a victory in the Gran Premio Ciudad de Montevideo (G1) on January 6 at Maroñas, Uruguay. Portal Maya (Portal del Alto), Cannolina (South Kissing), and Herd Immunity (Forge) round out the brief but quality list of participants.

In the Luro, the challenge will be to defeat Lebrón Blues (Le Blues), who was dominant in the Clásico Guillermo Kemmis (G3). He will face Al Recreo (Aliwen), El Pirata (Il Campione), El Rayo Pass (Distinctiv Passion), Esthetic Boy (Cosmic Trigger), and Muy Macho Win (Gershwin).

Meanwhile, Embozada Rim (Remote), fresh off breaking her maiden in the Clásico Carlos Casares (G3), will compete in the Unzué against Amiguita Casual (Todo Un Amiguito), Juara (Storm Embrujado), Marynda (Master of Hounds), Siesta (Cityscape), and Venus Win (Gershwin).

The festival of top-tier racing continues on Monday the 9th with two more trials for May 1. Looking toward the GP de las Américas - OSAF (G1), the Clásico El Virtuoso (G3-1,600m) will be a key encounter, while the Clásico Irlanda (G3-1,000m) will serve as a path toward the GP Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1). Le Cornette (Emmanuel) stands out among the 6 confirmed for the Irlanda.

Finally, on Thursday the 12th, the week concludes with the Clásico Jamelao (L-1,400m) for mares 4 years old and up, featuring Ataka (Señor Candy), Bichita de Luz (Fragotero), and Pecadora Joy (Fortify), among others.