Stormy Summer has her sights set on another stakes victory

The Nicholas filly returns to Palermo’s 1400-meter turf course looking to further solidify her reputation

Stormy Summer (inside) getting the better of Intrusión a few weeks ago / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

A compelling showdown is expected in the Clásico The Japan Racing Association (L, 1400 m), the feature race kicking off the week at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, to be contested over the often tricky turf course.

With six fillies entered, the clash is for three-year-olds, featuring a generational duel with Stormy Summer (Nicholas) as the main contender. The filly boasts a 2-for-3 record and arrives off a fresh victory in the Clásico Asociación Cooperativa de Criadores SPC Ltd. (L), under the same conditions she will face now.

That day, the Haras Carampangue filly edged out Intrusión (Gouverneur Morris) by a head in a gritty finish, and she is set to meet her rival again—surely aiming for a repeat.

Also in the gates is the far more seasoned Candlelit (Equal Stripes), winner of the Bayakoa (L) and General Las Heras (G3) stakes, who most recently finished a length behind Adi Shakti (Lucullan) in the Clásico Didia. This will be her first attempt on Palermo’s inner turf course, and her adaptability remains to be seen.

Candlelit is trained by Nicolás Martín Ferro, who will also saddle Dream Serena (Forge). The filly, with promising form figures, seeks to rebound from a subpar effort in the Clásico Eudoro J. Balsa (G3) back in July, relying on her usual late-running style.

The field is rounded out by La Graviere (Seahenge), the other three-year-old in the lineup, and Ulla Uxia (Un Pionero), completing a small but promising group.