Pecadora Joy is aiming for a repeat victory in the Clásico Jamelao, held on the dirt at Palermo

The Firmamento mare is coming off a solid third-place finish in the Clásico Miguel Angel y Tomás Juárez Celman (G2) on the turf, and she now faces six highly experienced rivals

Pecadora Joy returns to the dirt at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Due to a shift in the racing calendar, the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo will host the action this Thursday. The ongoing series of stakes races continues with the Clásico Jamelao (L), a 1400-meter contest for fillies and mares aged 4 and up, held under weight-for-age conditions on the dirt.

A quality field of seven has been confirmed, with Pecadora Joy (Fortify) emerging as the primary candidate. The Haras Firmamento homebred aims to return to the winner's circle after finishing a solid third—just 2 1/4 lengths behind the 3-year-old Stormy Summer (Nicholas)—in the Clásico Miguel Angel y Tomás Juárez Celman (G2) on the Palermo turf.

The defending champion of this race, Pecadora Joy previously secured back-to-back victories in the Handicap Cipayoand the Clásico Marcos Levalle (G2) at La Plata, where she famously finished in a dead heat with Escolastic Girl (Suggestive Boy).

However, the task will not be easy for Pecadora Joy, as she faces a lineup of seasoned competitors. Chief among them is Blessed Shine (Honour Devil), a multiple handicap winner coming off a strong third-place effort in the Clásico Ricardo, Ezequiel y Ezequiel M. Fernández Guerrico (G2) at San Isidro. Representing Stud Aguas Buenas, she is a natural frontrunner who will likely dictate the pace.

Ataka (Señor Candy) also brings plenty of experience and enters the race in peak form, stepping up from the handicap ranks. A similar upward trajectory is seen in City Land (Lizard Island), who has shown significant improvement recently.

Melancólica (Grand Reward) returns to Palermo following a successful trip to La Plata, where she won the Clásico Luis Monteverde (L) by defeating Guadilú (Señor Candy). Meanwhile, Bichita de Luz (Fragotero) stretches back out in distance after a competitive showing in a pure sprint.

Rounding out the field is Jalimba (Señor Candy), another runner with consistent form lines who is expected to add pressure to the early pace.

It promises to be a fantastic stakes race at Palermo on an atypical day during an unusual week—one where fans and bettors alike must double-check the venue before placing their wagers.