Palermo: Martínez and Beazley on the Road to the Nacional and the Selección

Juveniles Take Center Stage Again at Palermo in Preps Toward the Derby and the Oaks

Embrace It broke his maiden in style with a debut win in the Artigas / HAPSA

Argentine racing turns its spotlight once again to Hipódromo de Palermo, where the spotlight will shift to the 3-year-olds as the first preps for the Gran Premio Nacional (G1, 2500m, dirt) and the Gran Premio Selección (G1, 2000m, dirt) take center stage.

The colts’ road to the Derby kicks off with the Clásico Coronel Miguel F. Martínez (G3, 1800m, dirt), while the fillies begin their Oaks journey in the Clásico Francisco J. Beazley (G2, 1800m, dirt). The afternoon also features the Clásico Pablo F. Falero (1200m) for older horses, previewed separately in this edition.

A field of 10 lines up for the Martínez, promising a highly competitive renewal. Haras Firmamento brings a strong hand with Jazz Disfrute (Hi Happy) and Uncle Moi (Uncle Mo), two of the few with graded experience. Jazz Disfrute, the pick of stable rider Martín Valle, exits a respectable fourth in the Clásico Miguel Cané (G2) behind subsequent Polla de Potrillos (G1) winner Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) and fellow casualty Amor de Contramano (Gouverneur Morris). That form alone makes him a leading player. Stablemate Uncle Moi has proven himself against top company as well, having defeated The Great Racing (The Great Day) before finishing close up behind him and others in the Gran Premio 2000 Guineas (G1) at San Isidro.

Other colts step up off impressive allowance wins with plenty of upside, including Blue Caviar (Equal Stripes)—a half-brother to champions Blue Prize and Blue Stripe—alongside Bay Max (Gouverneur Morris), Hijo de Nadie (Cosmic Trigger), and Don Zahir (Daddy Long Legs).

The Beazley looks equally intriguing, headed by Queen Elinor (Señor Candy) and Embrace It (Daddy Long Legs), the second and third finishers, respectively, in the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile Fillies (G1) behind Charm (Strategos). Queen Elinor has already come back to finish runner-up to unbeaten Moon Frank (Gidu) in the Polla de Potrancas (G1), enhancing her profile, while Embrace It returns from a short break with strong credentials and a pedigree that suggests she’ll relish the step up in trip.

Other notable contenders include Rosa Eterna (Long Island Sound), a debut winner over subsequent scorer Sex Bomb (Nicholas); Kalisia (Fortify), narrowly beaten last out after a winning debut; and the lightly raced Lysva (Gouverneur Morris), who aims high after breaking her maiden just 13 days ago.

Both preps promise depth and excitement, keeping the spotlight firmly on Palermo as the countdown to Argentina’s most prestigious classics continues.