San Isidro ratified its upcoming stakes line-up: Filha, Opinium, and Despacito headline the feature events
Friday, November 13, will feature the Clásico La Troienne, followed by the Clásico Embrujo (L) on Sunday, November 15, while the Handicap Ahmad takes center stage on Wednesday, November 18. The three-meeting slate bridges the gap between the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) at Palermo and the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) at La Plata
Argentine thoroughbred racing is set to enter one of the most intense stretches of the 2026 season, flanked by two major events that will command the spotlight: the Gran Premio Nacional (G1) at Palermo on Saturday, November 14, and the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) at La Plata on Thursday, November 19. Embedded within this blockbuster scheduling, San Isidro will host three high-quality programs of its own, with feature fields officially ratified.
Action begins on Friday, November 13, with the Clásico La Troienne (L) over 1000 meters on the turf. A field of 6 fillies and mares will head to the gates, topped by top weight Filha (Nashville Texan), assigned 58.5 kilos. Racing for Stud Masama, she arrives off a third-place finish in the Clásico Venezuela (G2) at Palermo and seeks to carry that solid dirt form onto the lawn.
Among her primary challengers is Blessed of Glory (Hat Ninja, 56.5), who scored an upset victory in the Clásico Lamadrid (L) over the local straight course, defeating several established sprinters.
The lineup is completed by Elkara (Il Campione, 54.5), Espouse (Il Campione, 56), Lapuli (Le Sortilège, 52.5), and Realizada Cat (Hurricane Cat, 55.5), in a contest where weight concessions could prove decisive. Post time is set for 5:30 PM, with a winner's purse of $8,700,000.
On Sunday, November 15, attention turns to the Clásico Embrujo (L) over 1600 meters on the turf, featuring the latest installment of the rivalry between 3-year-olds Opinium (King Guillermo, 55) and Negro de Pergamino (Hi Happy,54). The pair know each other intimately: Negro de Pergamino bested Opinium by three-quarters of a length in the Clásico Vilmar Sanguinetti, but Opinium exacted swift revenge in the Clásico Candy Ride (L), scoring by 2 1/2 lengths. They now clash over a longer distance while taking on older rivals for the first time.
Lining up against the sophomores are highweight Yak Sport (Glory Seattle, 57), the consistent Real World(Cityscape, 56.5), and bottom-weighted Grikor (King Guillermo, 50.5). Just 5 runners will vie for the $11,250,000 winner's share at 5:15 PM.
Finally, on Wednesday, November 18, the Handicap Ahmad over 1200 meters on the dirt will offer an intriguing matchup of seasoned sprinters. Despacito (Sabayon, 60), a veteran of 19 career victories, will shoulder top weight as he looks to reassert his class.
Hiran (Santillano, 59.5) shapes up as his principal threat, alongside Calladito (Que Vida Buena, 57.5), Rio New(Hurricane Cat, 57), Concord (Remote, 57), El Interventor (Il Campione, 56.5), and Angle of Light (Angiolo,53.5). The competitive 7-horse field will race at 5:45 PM for a top prize of $5,650,000.
Spanning Palermo, San Isidro, and La Plata, the racing calendar promises an relentless lineup of high-stakes action,headlined by the Nacional and the Dardo Rocha, while serving up excellent opportunities for sprint and mile specialists across the suburban circuit.
Comments