Pretoriana added late drama to the Clásico Potri Pe, nosing out Vieja Amiga Mask right on the wire

The Santa María de Araras filly preserved her perfect record over the turf straight and secured the finest victory of her career to date

Pretoriana unleashed a powerful late run from the 200-meter mark to the wire / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

It took until the final stride to determine the winner of the Clásico Potri Pe (1000 meters, heavy turf), the marquee event on Saturday’s card at Hipódromo de San Isidro, where most of the conditional races were shifted to the dirt almost at the outset due to weather conditions.

That decisive moment saw Pretoriana deliver the best performance of her brief career, returning to the course and distance of her previous victory after an unproductive try at 1200 meters.

Unbeaten on the turf straight, the Santa María de Araras homebred benefited from two key allies in holding off Vieja Amiga Mask (Mask, 57 1/2) and Sunny Frank (Gidu, 53 1/2): a light impost of 52 1/2 kilos and the pinpoint timing of jockey Iván Monasterolo, who capped a perfect afternoon by completing a treble.

Riding with patience, Monasterolo settled the filly toward the rear of the pack, though never far from Sunny Frank, who carved out an opening split of :23.08. From the 500-meter mark, Pretoriana began to creep closer, launching her decisive move inside the final 300 meters.

As Vieja Amiga Mask swept past Sunny Frank and appeared poised to seal the deal, the daughter of Daniel Booneunleashed a ferocious late burst, lunging on the wire to deny the gray by a head. A game Sunny Frank finished third, beaten 3/4 of a length.

The favorite Portuaria Lure (Puerto Escondido, 56 1/2) failed to make an impact, lugging throughout and lacking her customary kick when it mattered, checking in fourth, 2 1/4 lengths back. The final time of :55.55 was a creditable figure given the demanding underfoot conditions.

Prepared by Nicolás Martín Ferro, who has now saddled 28 stakes winners this season, Pretoriana registered the third victory of her seven-start career. She hails from a female line tracing back to Ojo de Agua, one that has flourished for the Bozano family, with Grade I winner Personal Right (Lode) appearing as her third dam.