The Argentine mare La Tasmania makes her U.S. debut with high hopes from La Valkiria

The daughter of Mask will race this afternoon at Belmont Park, under the guidance of Dylan Davis and the conditioning of Michael Maker; Alfredo Farioli chose to send her abroad to test her quality in the competitive Northern Hemisphere circuit

ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Alfredo Farioli decided to take the leap. Convinced that he owns a top-tier mare, the man behind Haras La Valkiria shipped La Tasmania to the United States to give her the opportunity to prove just how far she can go. This afternoon, that venture faces its first real test: the Argentine mare will make her U.S. debut at Belmont Park, racing under the same colors with which she built an outstanding campaign back home.

The daughter of Mask features among the contenders in the ninth race, an allowance event over 1,300 meters on the inner turf course, featuring a $105,000 purse. Conditioned by Michael Maker, she will be ridden by Dylan Davis, breaking from post position 1, and is listed third in the morning line at odds of 6-1 in a field of 12 main-track starters plus 4 also-eligibles.

For La Valkiria, this starting berth carries special significance. Bringing a homebred representative to compete on such a stage involves considerable expenses, acclimation time, and a step up in athletic demands. Farioli embraced the challenge bolstered by what La Tasmania displayed in Argentina, hopeful that her talent will command the same respect against a new tier of opposition.

Reports on her preparation have been highly encouraging. Her last four breezes took place over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park, where she clocked the fastest morning work twice at five furlongs: 1:00.20 and 1:01.20. She subsequently turned in five furlongs in 1:01.00 and completed her preparation on September 26 with a four-furlong bullet in 48.20. These are promising signs ahead of a comeback that also brings a shift into a new racing ecosystem.

In Argentina, La Tasmania transitioned from condition races into stakes company with seamless authority. Under the care of Marcelo Sueldo, she built a brief yet remarkably efficient campaign, claiming 5 victories from just 7 starts. Winning across La Plata, San Isidro, and Palermo proved her versatility, while her victories in the Clásico Francia(L) and the Clásico Roberto Pellegatta solidified La Valkiria’s confidence to pursue an international campaign.

The task ahead will be demanding. The program favorite is Amangani (No Nay Never), an Irish-bred who won at Punchestown during her early campaign. She arrives coming off a third-place finish in an allowance at Saratoga and tops the morning line at 3-1.

Another formidable rival is Peppermint Twist, a daughter of Not This Time who will have Venezuelan rider Junior Alvarado in the irons. She won on debut on August 30 at Saratoga by 4 lengths over a mile, demonstrating immediate potential.

Adding to the lineup is Only for Now (Not This Time), ridden by Manuel Franco for trainer Miguel Clement. A debut winner in May at Belmont at Big A, she enters off a third-place finish in allowance company and represents another serious threat.

La Tasmania faces a lot to prove in her American debut. She carries solid form, sharp workouts, and an appealing opportunity to launch this new phase. Behind her stands an owner who dared to put his ambition to the test—this afternoon, he begins to find out if the mare that gave him so much in Argentina can carve out her own place among the elite in the North.