Sono Perfetto Dominant in Clausura; Validates Top-Level Credentials

Sono Perfetto Caps Season With Dominant Stakes Score; Bright Future Ahead in 2026

Sono Perfetto turned back the challenge of El Darwin, who could have finished closer with a cleaner trip / HLP

LA PLATA.- LA PLATA, ARG – Sono Perfetto delivered a performance worthy of a standing ovation in Tuesday’s G2 Clasico Clausura. While the margin wasn’t a romp, the chestnut’s victory was a masterful display of speed, stamina, and pure determination—a combination that proved impossible to overcome.

Capping off a stellar second half of the year, the Stud El Cárcara colorbearer successfully took on older rivals for the second time, following a solid fourth-place effort in the prestigious GI Gran Premio Dardo Rocha last month.

Already a winner of the G3 Clasico Jose Pedro Ramirez and the G2 Clasico Provincia de Buenos Aires during the three-year-old selection process, the son of champion Tetaze seized the lead from the break. He remained unfazed despite early pressure from Rumor de Fuego (Daddy Long Legs), clicking off fractions of :25.72, :49.96, and 1:14.46.

Turning for home, Sono Perfetto opened up a comfortable cushion, though the seasoned veteran El Darwin (Il Campione) loomed as a serious threat. In a battle of wills down the stretch, the heavy favorite dug deep to prevail by 1 1/2 lengths. El Darwin was a game second but arguably could have finished closer—or even challenged for the win—had he not hung in persistently under pressure.

Amuni (Tetaze) finished four lengths back in third, completing a 1-3 sweep for both the sire and trainer Omar Labanca, who continued his successful partnership with jockey Lautaro Balmaceda.

The Labanca-Balmaceda-El Cárcara trio has enjoyed a dominant 2025 at La Plata, spearheaded by miler Storm Sound (Hi Happy) and Sono Perfetto, who now stands as the circuit’s leading sophomore and a formidable force in the staying division.

Bred by Sergio O. Savi, the winner stopped the clock in 2:06.35 for the 2000 meters on a fast track. It was his third graded stakes victory and fourth career win overall. Looking ahead to 2026, connections are likely pointing toward the Campeonato Palermo de Oro, the premier dirt series for intermediate distances in the first half of the season.