Sargento Morris Flashes Serious Speed, Adds to Gouverneur Morris's Hot Streak

The chestnut colt captured the Premio Sand Puce in a significantly faster time than that recorded by Valdobbio in the split division. For freshman sire Gouverneur Morris, it marked his sixth individual winner from just nine starters to date

Sargento Morris overcame a claim of foul to break his maiden / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Valdobbio showed marked improvement off his prior efforts / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

It was a long Friday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, where a 16-race card generated total handle of $540,035,898, averaging $33,752,244 per race and continuing the upward trend in business the venue has enjoyed since May 1.

The unquestionable highlight of the day came courtesy of Coni Fizz (Marconi), who turned in another dazzling display to remain undefeated on dirt in the G3 Clásico Círculo de Propietarios de Caballerizas SPC. But the 2-year-olds also had their moment, with Sargento Morris emerging as the standout.

The chestnut became the sixth winner from just nine starters for freshman sire Gouverneur Morris (Constitution), validating his strong credentials and heavy favoritism with a sharp performance over 1200 meters in the Premio Sand Puce. However, the win came with some controversy.

After drawing off by 2 1/2 lengths over Marruecos (Leofric), Kevin Banegas, rider of the runner-up, lodged a foul claim against Juan Pablo Paoloni aboard the winner. The stewards ultimately let the result stand, though the decision wasn’t simple. Sargento Morris drifted out twice in the stretch, both times impeding Marruecos’ momentum, but the widening margin at the wire likely played a key role in the ruling.

Bred by Haras La Pasión and racing for Stud El Barrilito under the care of Pablo and Pablo Ezequiel Sahagián, Sargento Morris is out of Saratogian (Candy Ride) and posted a flashy final time of 1:09.90, notably quicker than the 1:11.41 recorded in the split division of the Premio Sand Puce by Valdobbio.

A son of Hit It a Bomb out of Valdobbia (Equal Stripes) and bred by Haras Firmamento, Valdobbio turned in a surprisingly strong performance. Representing Stud La Elbita and trained by Raúl A. Ramallo, he entered the race off an eighth-place effort after finishing fifth on debut at La Plata. Under Daniel E. Arias, the bay sat close early, took over turning for home, and steadily edged clear to score by three lengths over the favored Farruko (Malenchini), with Sur o No Sur (Leofric) a further three lengths back in third.

Given the style of his win and pedigree, Valdobbio could be one to watch as distances increase.