Soñador Spring and Rollanda Win in a Way That Suggests a Return to Stakes Company

The Stayer and the Sprinter Also Impressed on Thursday at Palermo; Among the Older Horses Down the Straight, Peso Argentino Stood Out

Rollanda Took Control Early and Sealed the Win / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Soñador Spring Kicked Off the Card with a Dominant 12-Length Victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Older runners took center stage in Thursday’s racing at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, delivering notable performances in the day’s allowance races.

The program kicked off with the Premio Caricato over 2200 meters on heavy dirt for five-year-olds and up with two or three prior wins, where heavy favorite Soñador Spring proved far too strong. The son of Greenspring, racing for Stud Tramo 20, sat off the early tempo set by Solicitadísimo (Señor Candy) before sweeping past in the stretch to draw off with authority, scoring by an impressive 12 lengths in 2:17.50 under Gustavo Romero’s care.

Bred by Haras Vikeda, Soñador Spring had previously placed in several staying stakes in 2024, finishing runner-up in both the Cocles (L) and General Pueyrredón (G3), and fourth in the General Belgrano (G2) and Yatasto (G3), though he was coming off a dull seasonal reappearance. Now a four-time winner from 16 starts, a return to stakes company—perhaps targeting the General Pueyrredón once again—could be next.

Later on the card, the sprinters had their turn over 1200 meters in a race for fillies and mares, where Rollanda(Bodemeister–Rolling Tina, by Yankee Victor) delivered a decisive performance. With William Pereyra aboard, the Stud Rubio B. runner tracked the pace set by Te Vi Bailar (Naipe de Ouro), took over by the 400-meter mark, and quickly put the race away to score by 2 1/2 lengths over favored City Land (Lizard Island) in 1:12.48. Trained by Juan C. Etchechoury Jr., Rollanda now boasts four wins in ten outings.

The day’s 10th race featured six-year-olds and up with three or four prior victories, where Peso Argentino (Le Blues–Pelusa Inc, by Include) caused a mild surprise. Bred by Haras Santa Elena and racing for Caballeriza Mis Cocos of Concepción del Uruguay, the veteran surged down the center of the track midway through to pull away by five lengths from stakes winner Señor Artista (Señor Candy) in a sharp 56.35 for 1000 meters. Prepared by Luis Ojeda, Peso Argentino was guided by Luciano Recuerdo, who enjoyed a riding double on the afternoon.