The La Plata Triple Crown Concludes with the Gran Premio Provincia de Buenos Aires

The traditional finale of the La Plata Triple Crown, which once held G1 status and today stands as a G3, will offer just $10,240,000 to the winner; Fuerte y Claro and Teobaldo (photo) arrive with the highest-level stakes experience, but the field remains wide open

With just 5 3-year-olds in the starting gate and $10,240,000 reserved for the fastest over the 2200-meter journey, that will be the portrait of the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires (G3), the final leg of the La Plata Triple Crown and a race that once boasted top-level international status. From a G1 it dropped to a G2, and ultimately settled at Group 3status—a reflection of a decline in prestige that cannot be explained solely by the overcrowding of major fixtures on the juvenile calendar.

The racetrack's own leadership over the years bears its share of responsibility. Protecting a stakes event requires far more than merely keeping it on the condition sheet: it demands attractive purse money, planning, and respect for its history. The 10.2 million pesos set aside for the winner—barely above what a maiden victory fetches at Palermo—is difficult to justify for a race of such demanding proportions. The small field of just 5 confirmed runners comes as no surprise.

There were even rumors of a possible postponement, which would have added another chapter to a recurring controversy. In fact, the Clásico Hipódromo Independencia de Rosario (G3), originally scheduled for this card, was rescheduled despite regulations mandating that graded stakes be run even with small fields—a worrying signal for a track that ought to safeguard its traditional races.

Setting that background aside, the contest promises far more balance than its reduced number of starters suggests. Fuerte y Claro (Daniel Boone) and Teobaldo (Uncle Chuck) bring the best classic form lines, particularly from their outing four weeks ago in the Clásico Jockey Club de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (G3-2000 m). That afternoon, the undefeated Cahuel Win (Gershwin) scored with authority, leaving Fuerte y Claro second, five lengths back, while Teobaldo finished third, another two and a half lengths behind.

Teobaldo possesses more course experience at this track, having captured the Clásico José Pedro Ramírez (G3) and finished runner-up to Los Llanos (Le Blues) in the Clásico Isidoro Aramburu (G3). The colt trained by Cristian Villabona, who will have Kevin Banegas in the irons, must still answer the question of the 2200-meter distance. Fuerte y Claro, on the other hand, has already proven capable at route distances and will once again be ridden by Lautaro Balmaceda for the Omar Labanca stable. The duo is coming off a victory just a week ago in the Clásico OSAF (G3) with Sono Perfetto (Tetaze).

Licitador adds an intriguing dimension. Following four winless efforts between Palermo and San Isidro, he arrived at La Plata and broke his maiden by 5 lengths over 2000 meters on October 8. For the son of Forge, trained by Emiliano Juárez and set to be guided by Martín Valle, the jump from allowance company to a G3 will prove far more demanding, but he has already shown competence over a comparable distance.

Coming in from Palermo is Célebre, representing Stud Aleluya, owned by Héctor Del Piano, and trained by Jorge Mayansky Neer. The son of Full Mast won on debut at La Plata over 1600 meters by a nose and now faces a significant jump in distance. On his dam's side, he traces back to a deep family tradition featuring names like Chemin du Ciel (Equal Stripes), Calvados (Snipewalk), Cagnotte (Sunray Spirit), and the unforgettable Campagnarde(Oak Dancer), tied to the late Haras Las Ortigas.

Completing the lineup is Kandahar, a son of Gershwin who won on debut by one and a half lengths over 1400 meters. He is brought out by Marcelo Sueldo and Gonzalo Borda, leaders in the La Plata standings and also the team behind Cahuel Win, winner of the second leg of the Triple Crown. In only his second career start, the colt from Stud Ojo de Luna will seek to make the leap.

The Provincia will run as the eighth race at 6:00 p.m. as part of a 12-race card. A small field, but five legitimate contenders. Hopefully, the racing spectacle will serve as a reminder of what this event is worth and how much more should be done to protect it.