Santo Federal and Causeway Girl Shine on an Afternoon at Palermo

The Horse Proved Dominant Over 1000 Meters in the Handicap Utópico, While the Mare Scored Authoritatively in the Handicap Potrizaris

Santo Federal Sparkles Down the Palermo Straight / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

For Causeway Girl, It Was All Far Too Easy / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An atypical Wednesday of racing at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo saw Santo Federal (Santillano, 56 kg) and Causeway Girl (Dabster, 58) emerge as the day’s leading figures, taking the Handicap Utópico (1000 meters) and Handicap Potrizaris (1400 meters), respectively—two rare midweek features contested on a fast dirt track.

In the first of those contests, Santo Federal continued his steady ascent, now proving competitive in the higher ranks and steadily establishing himself among the sprinters with ambitions of reaching the divisional stakes level. Carrying a mid-range impost, the son of champion Santillano (Easing Along) was allowed to settle early while Galán de Moda (Qué Vida Buena, 56.5) set the pace ahead of Igniter (Lenovo, 53.5).

Gradually improving as the race unfolded, the horse owned by football star Ignacio Fernández began to lengthen his stride, overpowering Bank One (Lenovo, 57) inside the final furlong and drawing clear to score by three lengths, with Galán de Moda another 2½ back in third. The final time was 56.88 seconds.

Jockey Wilson Moreyra and trainer Jorge Mayansky Neer combined for the win—the fifth in 15 career starts for Santo Federal, who has now surpassed 28 million pesos in earnings.

Later in the afternoon, Causeway Girl, aided by a favorable weight assignment, returned to winning form in the Handicap Potrizaris, notching her first success since joining José C. Blanco’s barn.

Under a confident ride from Juan Carlos Noriega, the Al Adiyaat-owned mare, already a dual stakes winner, allowed Blessed Shine (Honour and Glory, 59.5) and Free Prize (Winning Prize, 58.5) to duel up front before moving into striking position. Once in the stretch, she asserted control through the center of the track and drew off decisively.

At the wire, Causeway Girl held a 2½-length advantage over Guadilú (Señor Candy, 56), with Frapé (Vástago Salvaje, 54) another 1½ back in third. The final time was 1:23.50.

For both winners, it was a day of authority and consolidation—Santo Federal confirming his rise among the sprinters, and Causeway Girl reaffirming her quality with a performance that was simply too good for her rivals.