Portuaria Lure delivered a pleasant surprise in the Clásico La Troienne

She made all after taking over early to beat Santa Calma by two lengths on the turf straight

Portuaria Lure pulled clear with striking authority / HSI

A major upset lit up Wednesday at Hipódromo de San Isidro, as Portuaria Lure captured the Clásico La Troienne (L–1000m, good turf), the feature of an entertaining card that offered action on both tracks.

Carrying a light 53.5kg and making just her second start at stakes level—after finishing fifth in the Clásico Condesa (G3)—the daughter of champion Puerto Escondido took a significant step forward, dominating with authority in a field where the most talked-about contenders ended up well-beaten.

With Brian Enrique in the saddle, the bay mare was always prominent. By the time they reached the final 600 meters she had already asserted herself, and when asked for an effort at the 400-meter mark, she quickly drew clear, reaching the wire two lengths ahead of the Córdoba-based Santa Calma (Qué Vida Buena, 58.5kg), who at least regained some of her best form.

Further back, Nisa (Angiolo, 55kg) finished a creditable third, adding valuable black-type to her page. The day, however, belonged to the outsider, as the fancied Soy Atorranta (Angiolo, 55.5kg) and Lagoa Azul (Lenovo, 61.5kg) finished second-last and last, respectively.

Soy Atorranta showed speed early but faded quickly, while Lagoa Azul was never a factor and was eased late by her rider Cristian Velázquez, possibly feeling some physical issue.

Now four years old and a big-bodied 522kg, Portuaria Lure stopped the clock in 55.45, after splits of 20.99 and 43.84, over a lightning-fast surface. It marked the third win of her career from 18 starts.

Prepared at Palermo by Wálter Suárez and María F. Alvarez, the winner was bred by Haras Chiapill, the breeding operation of Jeremías Font in Trenque Lauquen, a farm long committed to investing in quality bloodlines.

When few expected it, Portuaria Lure delivered the shock of the afternoon. She stepped up, gave her best, and celebrated in style.