Spicy Vibe Prevails in Thrilling Photo Finish

Spicy Vibe secured the Handicap Resuello in a blanket finish, where the first four across the wire were separated by less than a length

Spicy Vibe surged late on the outside to prevail at the wire / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The Handicap Resuello produced the finish of the season at Palermo on Monday, as the top four finishers hit the wire separated by less than a length. In a wide-open 1100-meter sprint over a heavy main track, it was Spicy Vibe (Santillano) who proved best, surging late to secure a narrow victory in a blanket finish.

Following the scratch of high-weight favorite Contra Pronóstico (Daddy Long Legs), the race became a tactical scramble. Under a masterful ride by apprentice Thiago Larrea Frutos, Spicy Vibe (carrying 51.5kg) found an extra gear in the final strides to prevail by a nose over Los Húsares (Le Blues). Filoso Class (Filoso Emperor) and Bizarrap (Forge) followed in close pursuit, finishing a half-neck and a half-length back, respectively.

Conversely, betting favorite El Romancero (Il Campione) failed to factor in the finish, likely feeling the effects of competing twice in just three days on heavy going after a runner-up effort at San Isidro on Saturday. For Spicy Vibe, a representative of Stud Josti Horse trained by Ronald Fernandez, the win marks his fourth lifetime victory and a career-high achievement in the handicap ranks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs0tF1SsFWg