The Oaks Will Provide a Grand Finale to the Selective Process at the Club Hípico de Santiago

The 2000-meter test will feature a field of genuine quality, headed by Generation Grade I heroines Eccentric and Amada Mila, alongside notable contenders such as Kiasora, runner-up to Created in the El Ensayo (G1), and Renta Efectiva, winner of the Paddock Stakes (G3)

Eccentric emerges as the leading contender to capture the Las Oaks / JAIME CORTÉS P.

By Camilo Henriquez

SANTIAGO, Chile (Special to Turf Diario)— This season, Chilean racing has delivered performances of genuine top-class caliber, injecting fresh momentum into an industry that continues to navigate a challenging landscape. There is little doubt that the St Leger (G1), highlighted by the spectacular victory of Apolo Rey (Mendelssohn), stood as a prime example of that resurgence.

This Friday, another must-see contest takes center stage at Club Hípico de Santiago with the running of the Las Oaks(G1), a 2000-meter turf test bringing together the best fillies of the generation. Beyond its own prestige, the race will also shape the outlook toward El Derby (G1), scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, as several runners are expected to emerge as serious contenders for that classic.

To appreciate the importance fillies have had in the third leg of Chile’s Triple Crown, it is worth noting that females coming out of Las Oaks have captured two of the last four renewals of El Derby.

In 2022—amid the controversial and widely questioned finish of El Derby—Nenúfar Azul (Lookin at Lucky) defeated Y Nada Más (Constitution). The pair had also finished first and second, respectively, in Las Oaks 2021, although that year the Patricio Baeza trainee prevailed over Juan Cavieres’s runner in Santiago.

In the following cycle, Mama Lili (Ivan Denisovich) overcame Netinna (Ivan Denisovich) in the Blanco Encalada, before the duo went on to finish third and fourth, respectively, in El Derby behind the giants Fortino (Midshipman)—who completed the Triple Crown—and Lukka (Lookin at Lucky).

In 2024, fillies failed to make an impact in El Derby, but this season they reclaimed a prominent role on the coast, with Lucky Red (Midshipman) taking top honors and Cassis Violeta (Midshipman) checking in third. In Las Oaks, however, Cassis Violeta had stolen the spotlight, while Lucky Red could do no better than fifth.

A dozen 3-year-old fillies will line up for Friday’s feature, nine of them bred by Haras Don Alberto, while Haras Paso Nevado, Dadinco, and Santa Olga will each be represented by a single runner.

That dominance is no minor detail. Since 2013, Don Alberto has won Las Oaks nine times, with the remaining three editions going to Paso Nevado. Don Alberto’s roll of honor includes Romaña Ruler (Roman Ruler, 2013), Marie Madelaine (Ivan Denisovich, 2016), Penn Rose (Dylan Thomas, 2017), Brooke (No Nay Never, 2019), La Poetisa (Empire Maker, 2020), Y Nada Más, Mama Lili, North Ridge (Ivan Denisovich, 2023) and Cassis Violeta. Paso Nevado’s victories came courtesy of Dacita (Scat Daddy, 2014), Wapi (Scat Daddy, 2015) and La Cañita (Lookin at Lucky, 2018).

Unsurprisingly, Kiasora (Lookin at Lucky) and Eccentric (Ivan Denisovich) are expected to dominate the wagering, having finished second and third, respectively, behind Created (Mendelssohn) in the 2400-meter El Ensayo (G1).

Trained by Julio Orellana, Kiasora only yielded in the latter stages of that demanding test and now shortens back to a distance at which she captured the Lisímaco Jaraquemada (G3). She will not, however, have regular rider Javier Guajardo aboard due to the jockey’s suspension following an off-track incident at Hipódromo Chile. Taking over will be Joaquín Herrera, who partnered the filly in her first three starts and guided her to her maiden win at one mile.

For her part, Eccentric currently holds the title of best turf filly of her generation, highlighted by a sensational victory against males in the Nacional Ricardo Lyon (G1). Her résumé also includes strong efforts in the Polla de Potrancas (G1), Criadores Hembras Carlos Hirmas Atala (G2), Julio Subercaseaux B. (G3) and El Debut Potrancas, along with runner-up finishes in the Arturo Lyon Peña (G1) and the Cotejo de Potrancas (G3).

As throughout her campaign, she will be ridden by Jaime Medina, adding another layer of intrigue as the jockeys’ standings battle between Medina and Herrera also plays out on this stage.

The only two defeats Eccentric has suffered against fillies came at the hands of Amada Mila (Flameaway)—in the Lyon Peña and the Cotejo. Widely regarded as the best 2-year-old turf filly of her crop, Amada Mila has not raced since finishing a disappointing 14th, second last, in the Nacional (G1). Bred by Haras Dadinco, she returns under new trainer Claudio Navarro—having previously been with Aldo Parra—and will be ridden for the first time by Ignacio Valdivia, replacing Gonzalo Ulloa, who partnered her in her biggest wins.

Another major player is Renta Efectiva (Lookin at Lucky), coming off a smooth success in the Paddock Stakes – Jaime Allende U. (G3), adding to her earlier win in the Carlos Valdés I. (G3) and a third-place finish in the Polla de Potrancas (G1).

Rainui (Ya Primo) also enters calculations after her dominant display in the Jorge Baraona Puelma (L), complemented by a series of high-level placings—two seconds behind Kiasora and two more behind Renta Efectiva.

From Paso Nevado comes Triacastela (Classic Empire), a stakes winner over sprint trips who was most recently fourth behind Rainui in the Baraona Puelma (L). Pedigree watchers will note she is a half-sister to Tach Mahal (Verrazano), runner-up in Las Oaks 2020.

Completing the lineup are Vivien Van (Ivan Denisovich), fourth in the Lyon Peña (G1); Vela al Viento (Ya Primo), third against older mares over 1800 meters in the Stud Book de Chile; Nartella (Mendelssohn), third in the Lyon Peña (G1) and fourth in the Polla (G1), whose latest El Ensayo effort defied explanation; Noche Sublime (Mendelssohn), fourth in the Paddock (G3); along with Eres Juguetona (Patternrecognition) and Pastorella Bella (Ya Primo).

All signs point to a Las Oaks of depth, history, and consequence—one that will not only crown the leading filly of the generation, but also send powerful signals toward the next classic showdown.