The Clásico Santiago Lawrie and the Clásico Blend will headline the upcoming week’s racing action

The sprint feature will be run Friday at San Isidro, while on Sunday Palermo will stage a low-profile turf stakes event without standout names

Bailarín de Venecia was confirmed for the Clásico Santiago Lawrie / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

While anticipation continues to build toward the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1) meeting, Argentina’s major racetracks finalized their upcoming programs Tuesday, with a pair of stakes races emerging as the main attractions.

The highlight will come Friday at San Isidro with the Clásico Santiago Lawrie (G3-1000m, turf), one of the final prep races toward the Gran Premio Estrellas Sprint (G1). Eleven runners were confirmed for the dash: Río Felipín (Grand Reward), Lyon (Lenovo), Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), Beauty Sea (Seahenge), El Riel (Grand Reward), Aires de Gloria (Angiolo), Secreto a Voces (Springdom), Camuflaje (Orpen), Draco Novo (Lenovo), El Romancero (Il Campione), and Land of Promise (Le Blues).

The Jockey Club oval will also race on Wednesday the 20th, when the focus will revolve around the Especial Amsterdam, contested over 1400 meters for 3-year-old fillies with one or more victories.

The seven entrants are Majestic Rim (Remote), Esthetic Chic (Long Island Sound), Emisora Mundial (Santillano), En La Ribera (Il Campione), Esperanza Eterna (Il Campione), Centinela del Mar (Strategos), and Tranquila Señora (Fortify).

At Hipódromo de Palermo, the feature race will be Sunday’s Clásico Blend (L-1600m, turf) for horses aged four and older under weight-for-age conditions.

El Monsón (Hat Ninja), El Gazpacho (Bodemeister), Gritalo Carlitos (Malenchini), Costo Cero (Daddy Long Legs), and Fiolo Boss (Holy Boss) will line up in what appears a rather low-key renewal.

That same afternoon will also feature the Handicap Juan Alberto Maldotti (1400m, turf) for mares aged four and up, with the field including Moon’s Destiny (Orpen, 56 1/2), La Inefable (Cosmic Trigger, 52), Timberlay (Portal del Alto, 54), Filippiada (Il Mercato, 57), Splash Park (Safety Check, 52 1/2), and Furiosa Vis (Furious Key, 53).

On Monday the 18th, Palermo’s attention will shift to the Especial Juan G. Ublich (1400m, dirt) and Especial Antonio F. Manzone (1000m, dirt), both designed for runners campaigning primarily in Argentina’s interior circuits.

Finally, the Handicap Atlas (2500m, dirt), scheduled for Thursday the 21st, was canceled after attracting just five confirmations. Ironically, a race for older mares with only one victory managed to remain on the card with six runners confirmed. One could argue there might have been enough effort to keep the long-distance feature alive.