Playa Chopera, a mare taking on the males in the longest race of them all

Julio Penna will saddle the daughter of Treasure Beach in this Friday's Clásico General Pueyrredón at San Isidro; the last female to win it was Potrigoal, under Jorge Valdivieso

By Diego H. Mitagstein

Some decisions stem from pure pedigree analysis, while others come from truly knowing a horse—from observing her daily and understanding what she is asking for. Julio Penna chose the latter path with Playa Chopera, and this Friday the mare will embrace a challenge that cannot go unnoticed: she will take on the males in the Clásico General Pueyrredón (G3), one of the most traditional tests for stayers at San Isidro and the longest race on the Argentine calendar at 3,000 meters on the turf.

It is unusual to see a female contender in the Pueyrredón. Even rarer to see one win it. The last two to accomplish the feat were Blue Baby Blue (Forever Sparkle) in 1997 and Potrigoal (Potrillazo) in 2002, bound by a unique historical thread: on both occasions, legendary jockey Jorge Valdivieso was in the irons. A full 24 years have passed since that last victory.

In fact, one has to look back to 2024 to find the most recent female entrant in the marathon event. That was Cleopatra Kal (Anak Nakal), who finished seventh behind He's a Rockstar (Endorsement). There lies another link between past and present: she was trained by Valentín Penna, son of Julio Penna, as part of a family boasting immense heritage within Argentine racing.

Now Playa Chopera takes up the mantle. Her presence among the marathon runners is no mere whim. "It was either dropping back to the mile or stepping way up. She always had a great, long stride. But her issue was that she lacked control. She ran her early races at La Plata and would just bolt. But she is only now beginning to settle down, over these last four or five months," explains Julio Penna, describing the maturity that convinced him to test her at this extreme distance.

Her latest performance ultimately opened the door. "After her last race, where she carried a light weight, we dared to think about the Pueyrredón. That day, at the 400-meter mark, she started to tire, but when her jockey tipped her outside, she changed leads and re-engaged, making up several spots; in fact, at the wire, she was already catching the leaders," he shares.

Naturally, she will face some of the division's top specialists, and Julio Penna is fully aware of who holds top billing. With a touch of humor, he acknowledges that part of the gamble rests on hoping the main contender has an off day.

"I think Dany Etchechoury's horse—Don Logrado (Fortify)—is the standout, so we decided to take the risk that he might not be on his game, haha," he jokes.

Beyond the competition, the central question surrounding Playa Chopera will be how she responds to such a grueling distance. For Julio Penna, however, that could prove to be one of her greatest strengths.

"She doesn't like to be held in the mouth. She is a galloper. The La Mission used to be a G1 over 2,400 meters for mares, but it isn't anymore. Since we believe she won't have an issue with the distance, we are going to take our shot," he explains, highlighting how shifts in the stakes calendar have reduced natural options for a mare with her traits.

The distance itself does not worry him. The race shape, however, does. "The challenge will be that there is another front-runner named Travel Pass (Fortify), whom we've faced before and who took the lead from us. Otherwise, she could set the pace with relative comfort; it's a matter of how the race unfolds," Julio Penna analyzes.

Playa Chopera needs to find her rhythm, travel comfortably, and, crucially, avoid fighting her rider. That will be another key element.

"She is doing fantastic, feeling great, and the trip won't bother her. The farther, the better, but... if you fight her too much on the bit, she tires out," the trainer warns.

Today's version of the mare is far more mature than the one that began her career at La Plata, where her fiery demeanor caused her to waste energy. Even her less convincing outings had specific explanations, according to Julio Penna.

"In the Lerena, she ran poorly because she caught a chill. For the most part, whenever she ran a bad race, there was a genuine reason for her not delivering," he recalls.

The most significant transformation came with time and the learning process that now allows her team to envision her over marathon trips.

"With long-distance work, she has gradually settled down. By not pulling or fighting the bit, she stays healthier too," Julio Penna adds.

The challenge comes at a special moment for the Penna family. Julio Penna is coming off a victory this past Tuesday at La Plata in the Clásico General José de San Martín (G3) with Tryman (Safety Check), reaffirming the ongoing legacy of a surname deeply woven into national racing history. Two years after Valentín Penna saddled Cleopatra Kalin this race, his father will attempt to break the male stronghold.

Not since Potrigoal in 2002 has a mare captured the Clásico General Pueyrredón. Playa Chopera now chases a milestone 24 years in the making.

For Julio Penna, one thing is certain before the gates open: the longer the road ahead, the better she might feel.