The Gran Premio Copa Diamante attracted no fewer than 20 fillies and mares, at San Isidro

The mile contest for fillies and mares on Monday’s card at Hipódromo de San Isidro promises a wide-open affair filled with intriguing possibilities

Dream Serena enters off the best victory of her career / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

With only three defections from the original entries, no fewer than 20 fillies and mares are set to line up next Monday in a new edition of the Gran Premio Copa Diamante (G1-1600m, turf) for fillies and mares three and up over the grass course at Hipódromo de San Isidro, one of the marquee events on the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo (G1) program.

The race will distribute 100,000,000 pesos in prize money, with 50,000,000 pesos reserved for the winner—the same amount assigned to the Gran Premio 25 de Mayo itself, despite that race being contested over 2400 meters, a decision that generated considerable dissatisfaction among owners and racing professionals.

The field appears remarkably even, making it easy to envision a fiercely contested race filled with changing scenarios. In fact, with such a large group of runners, race dynamics will play a decisive role, and traffic trouble could become a major factor.

Among the established names, particular attention centers on Dream Serena (Forge), Lessons of Life (Le Blues), Neowise (BRZ-Agnes Gold), Noche Alta (Hi Happy), and Orpen Rimout (Remote), all already proven graded winners and currently in strong form.

Joining them in the starting gate will be the 3-year-old fillies Fiesta Pop (Il Campione), Forti Leaf (Fortify), Indiana Candy (Señor Candy), Mercata Mayor (Il Mercato), My Pride (Daddy Long Legs), Pawnee Drive (Lucullan), Reina Secreta (Víctor Security), Samba do Brazil (Springdom), and Todavía Cantamos (Mootasadir).

Completing the group of older mares are Adi Shakti (Lucullan), Harlan’s Rim (Remote), Igual No Soy (John F Kennedy), International Look (Cosmic Trigger), Lost Beach (Treasure Beach), and Paxing (Señor Candy).

The cost to secure a place in the field was 1,800,000 pesos, meaning that if most entrants remain confirmed, nearly half of the total purse will effectively be contributed by the owners themselves, since, as is well known, Argentine racetracks do not add nomination and sustaining fees back into the purse structure as added money.

As always, every horse must clear pre-race anti-doping controls with negative results, and the post-position draw will take place virtually this Tuesday.