Palermo gearing up for a week with four feature races beyond the ordinary level

The Clásico General Güemes (G3), Clásico Mineral (L) and Clásico Jorge Valdivieso will all be run, along with the Hándicap Ráfaga

El Emporio set for the Clásico Mineral (L) / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

A pair of highly engaging programs awaits next week at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, with racing scheduled for Sunday, November 30 and Monday, December 1.

Both cards will feature a strong stakes double, with the main attractions coming on Monday, when the Clásico General Güemes (G3–1000m, dirt) and the Hándicap Ráfaga (2200m, turf) are set to be run. The Güemes is for fillies and mares three and up, while the Ráfaga is also restricted to females, aged four and older.

There were no late scratches for the Güemes, where the outstanding filly Envidiada (Il Campione) will attempt to stretch her winning streak to four, facing older rivals for the first time and making her graded stakes debut. Her challengers include Bantia (John F. Kennedy), Beau Breeze (AP Candy), Enjoy Dancing (Hi Happy), Fantastic Bomb (Hit It a Bomb), Gran Celestial (Il Mercato), La Asturiana Blue (Le Blues), Lissette Island (Lizard Island) and Madame Bic(Puerto Escondido).

In the Hándicap Ráfaga, ten remain on the final list, with Argomasa (Lucullan) carrying topweight of 58kg. Also set to line up are Curiosa Subversiva (Curioso Johan, 53.5kg), Emma Novela (Emmanuel, 53.5kg), Existing (Winning Prize, 54kg), Foggy On Song (Sixties Song, 55.5kg), Olimpia de Epiro (Southern Cat, 49.5kg), Portal Maya (Portal del Alto, 53kg), Satya (True Cause, 51kg), Silvermist (Endorsement, 50kg) and Trova Johan (Curioso Johan, 50kg).

Sunday’s program will also offer a pair of stakes, headed by the Clásico Mineral (L–2500m, dirt) and the Clásico Jorge Valdivieso (1200m, dirt), both open to horses aged four and up under a weight-for-age scale.

Seven stayers will go to post in the Mineral: El Emporio (Il Campione), El Quetrihué (Il Campione), Laudrup(Hurricane Cat), Lebano Vic (Víctor Security), Ninguneando (Bodemeister), Sahuri (Greenspring) and Travel Pass(Fortify).

In the Jorge Valdivieso, the confirmed seven are Bichita de Luz (Fragotero), Decan Dall (Víctor Security), Despacito(Sabayón), Freed From Desire (Holy Boss), Mario’s Rim (Remote), Pripioca Mío (Lucky Island) and Ridge Prince(Strategic Prince).