Roman Libanés, a Rally That Inspires; Lo Dejo Todo, Proven Class

Son of Roman Joy Impresses in Scarlat; El Paraíso's Lo Dejo Todo Takes Tough Oh Take Field

Roman Joy Already Boasts Three Winners from His First Crop / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

LA PLATA.-In addition to a pair of black-type features, Tuesday's card at La Plata also offered a few promising allowance races, headlined by the Premio Scarlat, a five-furlong dash for 2-year-old maidens.

Among them, Roman Libanés delivered a stirring performance that has his connections dreaming of bigger things in the local juvenile sprint division. The son of Roman Joy (Fortify), part of his sire’s first and already productive crop, made up considerable ground after trailing well behind early. Turning for home still near the back, the colt unleashed a strong rally down the lane to reel in Angel Embrujado (Storm Embrujado) and Kaynotes (Footnotes) and win going away by a length in 59.95.

Ridden by Ramiro Salazar and trained by Hernán Esquivel for Stud Lueve, the dark bay is out of La Libanesca (Hurricane Cat), a half-sister to G3 winner Laureliano (Roman Ruler) and stakes-placed runners Lucky Roy (Roy)and Libana (Roman Ruler).

Earlier in the day, 3-year-olds with two or three previous wins squared off over 1100 meters in the Premio Oh Take, a competitive race loaded with black-type experience. Rising to the occasion was Lo Dejo Todo (Le Blues—Avellina, by Angiolo), a homebred for Haras El Paraíso who had previously captured the Clásico Telescópico at San Isidro last November.

With Elías Martínez aboard, the colt settled just off the pace before launching his bid in upper stretch. Taking command inside the final furlong, he drew off late to defeat Viejos Tiempos Mask (Mask) by a length in a sharp 1:03.24.

Also noteworthy on the card were sophomore winners Talento Eterno (Equal Talent—Berlina, by Catcher In the Rye)and Maylena (Qué Vida Buena—Maylen, by Orientate). The former prevailed by a neck over Mio Fratello (Long Island Sound) going a mile in the Premio Norton, while the latter held on by half a length to take the five-furlong Premio Jumbalaya.