The Great Racing Confirms His Class, Emerges as Turf Leader at San Isidro

In the G1 Gran Premio 2000 Guineas, the son of The Great Day turned back Ardiendo with authority and now sits atop the division rankings

The Great Racing Delivers a Devastating Performance / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

By Diego H. Mitagstein

That eye-catching maiden-breaking performance a few weeks ago at San Isidro was no fluke—The Great Racingconfirmed it in style on Saturday with a powerful, gate-to-wire victory in the G1 Gran Premio 2000 Guineas (1600m, soft turf), stamping himself as the clear leader of Argentina’s 3-year-old turf division.

Owned in partnership by former Uruguayan senator Francisco Gallinal and Haras Firmamento, and racing in the colors of Stud Patria Blanca, the dark bay colt turned in another jaw-dropping effort under confident handling from William Pereyra, delivering a result that delighted both sides of the Río de la Plata.

When a juvenile wins by 15 lengths on the main turf course at the Jockey Club—eased down, no less—chances are you’re looking at something special. Performances like that, especially on the often more demanding San Isidro grass (as opposed to the often speed-biased Palermo dirt), don’t happen by accident.

A son of The Great Day (Harlan's Holiday), the stallion heavily backed by Juan Carlos Bagó and his team at Firmamento, The Great Racing validated that spectacular debut win by decisively defeating Ardiendo (Remote), the same colt who had captured the G1 Gran Criterium, making the result even more meaningful.

To his credit, The Great Racing was involved from the outset, never ducking a fight. Wearing the signature white shadow roll, he pressed the pace set by the game Forgging (Forge), who carved out solid fractions of :24.16, :46.92 and 1:10.32 over the rain-affected but resilient going.

Once heads turned for home, The Great Racing pounced. By the 350-meter mark, he had wrested command and began to draw off with authority. Though Ardiendo loomed briefly after tracking from third, the favorite could make no impression late and had to settle for second, beaten two lengths.

Rallying from the back, Es Por Amor (Strategos) completed the exacta for trainer Juan Saldivia, while Forggingstayed on gamely to finish just a neck back in fourth, losing a podium spot in the final jump. The winning time of 1:34.59 was outstanding considering the soft, though elastic, turf condition.

Previously runner-up to Uncle Moi (Uncle Mo) in the Clásico José B. Zubiaurre—a race both were debuting in—The Great Racing continues to enhance his reputation with every start. The message from Saldivia was clear: this colt is even better on the grass at San Isidro.

Looking ahead, the roadmap could include the 1800-meter G3 Clásico Ensayo, and ultimately, the 2000-meter G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club, the second leg of Argentina’s Triple Crown. Distance will be the next question, but The Great Racing offers every indication that he’ll handle it with ease.

His pedigree certainly supports that belief. The Great Day won the G1 Estrellas Classic going 2000 meters, and also took the G1 Polla de Potrillos. His dam, Embracing Love (Lucky Roberto), is a half-sister to champions Expressive Halo (Halo Sunshine) and Extra Quiz (Lizard Island), both standouts over a route of ground. Add to that the class consistently produced by the “E” female family, and there’s every reason for optimism.

Facing the pressure of having to back up a spectacular maiden score, The Great Racing delivered the perfect follow-up: he dethroned the previous division leader and gave every impression that his ceiling is even higher.

A victory shared between Argentina and Uruguay, The Great Racing continues to excite and impress—and he’s just getting started. Class and quality are two things he’s not short on.