Qué Vida Yankee Back to Best, Blessed Shine Continues to Progress

Both Shone in Monday’s Top Allowance Races at Palermo; the Colt Went Wire-to-Wire While the Filly Scored with Authority

Final Olímpica aportó para el doblete de Don Florentino / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Qué Vida Yankee appears to be rediscovering his best version since moving to the barn of César Peralta in Córdoba a few months ago. Just days before turning four, the son of Qué Vida Buena recorded his third career win with a front-running effort in Friday’s Premio Amor del Bueno at Palermo, the day’s top-level allowance.

Ridden confidently by Kevin Banegas, the Stud Nuevos Vientos de Bonifacio homebred broke sharply and never looked back, holding off Ridge Prince (Strategic Prince) by a length while stopping the clock in 1:11.49 for 1200 meters over the dirt.

Bred by Haras Don Florentino out of Fancy Yankee (Quiet American), Qué Vida Yankee showed the ability to sustain a strong pace from gate to wire and now projects toward mid-tier stakes company for the second half of the season.

Among other highlights on the card was the Premio Victoria Regia, a 1200-meter dirt test for 4-year-old fillies with two or three prior wins. Blessed Shine (Honour Devil – Budista Dan, by Hidden Truth) continued her strong form with another authoritative victory.

Kept along the rail throughout by Facundo Coria, the Stud Aguas Buenas runner had to shift off the fence in the stretch when pacesetter Rollanda (Bodemeister) drifted inward, but once clear, she surged past with ease to score by two lengths over City Land (Lizard Island) in 1:11.47.

Prepared by Edilio R. Martínez, Blessed Shine was coming off a win at 1400 meters and continues to display remarkable consistency, suggesting a stakes appearance could be imminent.

Friday’s 16-race program also produced solid handle figures, confirming Palermo’s strong public support. Total wagering reached ARS 552,670,148, averaging ARS 34,537,947 per race, with roughly 15% arriving via commingled pools. More betting means more prize money – a simple and encouraging equation.