The 9 de Julio Headliners the Upcoming Action on the San Isidro Turf

The traditional mile fixture will take center stage this Saturday, brilliantly supported on the card by the Clásico Espirita (L)

Don Griego Looks for Another Decisive Victory in the 9 de Julio / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Just as Palermo lines up a high-powered Friday card, Hipódromo de San Isidro will match that intensity on Saturday with a stellar program featuring a pair of highly competitive stakes fixtures.

Everything will revolve around the historic Clásico 9 de Julio (G2), a 1,600-meter turf route for horses 4-year-olds and upward. For many years, this event held Group 1 status and was contested over a grueling 2,400 meters, but it has faced significant scheduling hurdles since the implementation of the Gran Premio Estrellas Mile (G1), which sits just two weeks prior on the racing calendar.

With the undisputed leaders of the division having campaigned in the prestigious Fundación Equina Argentina series, the door opens for the category’s rising contenders to climb the ranks. Prominent names like Don Griego (Long Island Sound), Comando Secreto (War Command), and Cosmic Stripes (Cosmic Trigger) spearhead the challenge.

The competitive field of 11 nominees is completed by: Blue Dollar (Orpen), Capital Boss (Daniel Boone), Concord (Remote), El Gazpacho (Bodemeister), Energizing (Il Campione), Nuestro (Leofric), Viejo Varieté (Qué Vida Buena), and Zaatar (Hurricane Cat).

Distaff routing will also take center stage with the running of the Clásico Espirita (L), a 2,000-meter turf event for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and upward, contested under handicap conditions.

The initial lineup attracted seven prospective runners. Standing out at the top of the weights is the classy Reina Casada(Long Island Sound), assigned 59 kilograms. Her rivals tracking toward the starting gate include: Abrazo Al Cielo (Treasure Beach, 58), Argomasa (Lucullan, 56 1/2), Camionette (Fortify, 52 1/2), Icilia (Lizard Island, 49 1/2), Niebla Peligrosa (Daddy Long Legs, 51 1/2), and Soy La Líder (Manipulator, 57).

The Jockey Club Argentino will keep the engines running through the weekend, opening its gates once again on Sunday, July 12. The headline event on that card will be the Handicap Candy Stripes, a 1,200-meter dirt sprint tailored for winning horses 5-year-olds and upward.

A massive list of 18 entries was received for the short-track feature, with veteran speedster Despacito (Sabayón) assigned the heavy top weight of 62 kilograms, followed closely by Escape Room (Il Campione) with 60 1/2 kilograms. Other prominent sprinters looming as serious contenders include: Naimabad (Il Campione, 56), Bluclette Rim (Remote, 57 1/2), Folke Dancer (Forge, 57), and Azucar Negro (Angiolo, 57 1/2).