The Gran Premio Jockey Club has fifteen dreams and a crown that will keep waiting
Without Fletcher, sold to continue his campaign in Saudi Arabia, the Triple Crown will once again remain vacant; Linguado, Stay Tune, and Hi Pocho head the entries for the major classic on October 3 at San Isidro
The Triple Crown no longer has a contender. Before the starting gates even open for the Gran Premio Jockey Club(G1), the dream was once again left without an owner: Fletcher (Gershwin), brilliant winner of the Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos (G1), was not entered for the second leg of the series, having been sold to continue his campaign in Saudi Arabia, as reported separately in this issue. His absence sets a milestone for another wait: thirty years will pass since the feat of Refinado Tom (Shy Tom), the last horse capable of sweeping all three victories, back in 1996.
The empty slot looms large. Each spring, that accomplishment seems just a bit farther out of reach, and the challenge of transitioning from the dirt mile to the 2000 meters on the turf, before seeking ultimate glory in the Gran Premio Nacional (G1), renews its status as an extraordinary task. This time, the possibility ended on the entry desk.
Yet the Gran Premio Jockey Club possesses enough history to sustain its own prestige. Since its inaugural running in 1883, the oldest Classic in Argentine racing has welcomed generations and bid farewell to certainties. Winning it means entering a conversation that spans eras, adding one's name to a tradition much longer than any individual campaign. Across its 2000 meters, speed must learn to endure, and colts begin to show just how far their ambitions can carry them.
For the running on Saturday, October 3, 15 3-year-olds remain entered—a group that blends stakes experience, recent progress, and potential waiting to be unlocked. The card will also feature the Gran Premio Suipacha (G1-1000m, turf) and the Gran Premio San Isidro (G1-1600m, turf), reported separately, with 15 and 9 entries, respectively. In total, there are 39 entries for 38 horses, as Autorretrato (Angiolo) appears in both the Jockey Club and the mile event.
Among those seeking to capitalize on the absence of the Polla winner, Linguado naturally comes to mind. The son of Cosmic Trigger finished second behind Fletcher at Palermo, after occupying the exact same spot in the Clásico Miguel Cané (G2). Having broken his maiden in his fifth start, he has since found valuable consistency against top-level competition. Now, the surface switch and step up in distance present new questions for a colt who has already shown plenty of quality.
Also arriving from the Polla are El Volka and the aforementioned Autorretrato, third and fourth, respectively. The former, a son of Vekoma who had won over 1400 meters at La Plata, took a major step forward with that placings. The latter, by Angiolo, brings the credential of his victory in the Polla de Potrillos (G3) at La Plata and a third in the Clásico Pedro Goenaga (G2), though his dual entry leaves his ultimate destination open.
Coming via the turf path, Stay Tune is an inescapable reference. The son of Fortify won on debut in one of the divisions of the Clásico Zubiaurre, placed second in the Gran Criterium (G1), and finished third in both the Gran Premio Estrellas Juvenile (G1) and the Gran Premio Dos Mil Guineas (G1). His entire campaign has unfolded at San Isidro, building up genuine class experience. Still missing that major victory, his credentials allow him to pursue it once again on solid ground.
The freshest momentum comes courtesy of Hi Pocho, winner of the Clásico Ensayo (G3) over 1800 meters. The son of Hi Happy, another who has raced exclusively on this course, had finished fifth in the Gran Criterium and fourth in the Dos Mil Guineas. His latest victory brought him to the Jockey Club from a different angle: that of a developing colt on the rise who has just successfully negotiated his first test beyond the mile. However, he is another runner drawing keen interest from foreign buyers...
Behind him, the Ensayo produced other developing contenders. Sarraceno, by Daddy Long Legs, finished second; Rugbier Boy (Suggestive Boy) ended up third, and Redemption Song (Outstrip) took fourth place. All 3 would now get 200 more meters to reshuffle that order.
In the remainder of the entry list, there is also room to envision further progress. El Cambiao (Imperador) has already won over the San Isidro 2000 meters, an experience few can claim. Giannino (King Guillermo) broke his maiden over 1800 meters, while Aki (Cima de Triomphe) did so over the mile, both on this very track.
Find Me (Pneumatic) arrives after finishing second to the winner over 1600 meters at San Isidro, following his maiden win over 1400 meters at Palermo; In This Moment (Fortify) scored his maiden victory over 1400 meters on the local turf, and Tolve (Daddy Long Legs) brings just two starts at Palermo: a third over 1400 meters and a win over the mile. Completing the roster is High City (Cityscape), still a maiden, with three third-place finishes in four career outings.
Final entry fees, jockeys, and those final mornings where every workout feeds a dream are still to come. The Triple Crown will have to wait for another generation. The Gran Premio Jockey Club, however, already has fifteen names knocking on the door of history.
