Pecado Original and Chelato delivered a stellar performance, finishing in a dead heat in the Clásico Botafogo

For both runners, the result signaled a significant move up the rankings within the turf stayers' division; unfortunately, Jazz Seiver sustained an injury and was pulled up

On the outside, Pecado Original caught Chelato right at the wire to force a dead heat / HSI

The turf stayer division is currently in a rebuilding phase following the shockwaves sent by the victory of the Brazilian-bred Obataye (Courtier) in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1). Along that path, Saturday's Clasico Botafogo (G3-2000m, firm turf) at San Isidro served as a first glimpse of what lies ahead for the division in the coming months, with a first semester that promises plenty of action (Martínez de Hoz, 25 de Mayo, Estrellas...).

On one hand, the thrilling finish resulting in a dead heat between Chelato (Cosmic Trigger) and Pecado Original (Global Hunter) left the small crowd in attendance with a wonderful sensation; on the other, returning from a layoff of over a year, Jazz Seiver (Super Saver) sustained an injury during the race and had to be pulled up by jockey Kevin Banegas, who dismounted on the track, providing the day's somber news.

If there was one thing the Botafogo had in abundance, it was excitement, despite meeting a short field of just six runners. As expected, Dragonet (Treasure Beach) was tasked with setting the pace, while Juan C. Villagra tracked closely in second with Chelato, and Rodrigo Bascuñán—who later went down in a spill and remains hospitalized—sat further back with Pecado Original.

The lead changes only materialized in the stretch, after opening fractions of :26.02 for the first 400 meters, :50.64 for the half-mile, and 1:13.16 for the 1200-meter mark. Villagra quickly set Chelato after the leader, while Bascuñán sent Pecado Original into full gear at the 400-meter pole.

They joined strides in the final furlong, and at the wire, the latter caught his rival to force a photo finish, which eventually confirmed the dead heat. A distant 6 lengths back, Joako (Heliostatic) finished third, with Dragonet another 1 1/2 lengths behind in fourth. Orpen Again (Seek Again), the only other starter, finished unplaced. The final time for the race was 2:00.42.

Nicolás Martín Ferro conditions Chelato for Stud Don Valentino, while Carlos D. Etchechoury is in charge of Pecado Original for Stud Tres P.