Time for Tribute and Speed Ahead of the Carreras de las Estrellas

This Friday, San Isidro will host the Clásico Juan Carlos Etchechoury, with Bichita de Luz set to star over 1300 meters on the inner dirt track

Bichita de Luz Has Already Captured Two Stakes Wins on San Isidro’s Dirt Track / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Once again offering an alternative midweek programme, San Isidro Racecourse will be in charge of heating up the weekend as a prelude to Saturday’s 35th running of the Carreras de las Estrellas at Palermo.

A total of 13 races will be contested on the northern track’s inner dirt course, with the highlight being the Clásico Juan Carlos Etchechoury, a tribute to one of Argentina’s greatest trainers of all time and father to the highly successful Juan C. Etchechoury Jr., Carlos D. Etchechoury, and Juan Javier Etchechoury.

Open to horses three years old and up under descending handicap conditions over 1300 meters, the feature has drawn a competitive field of 13, headlined by Bichita de Luz (Fragotero). The grey mare will seek another stakes success at a distance that suits her perfectly, though she will carry top weight of 59.5kg. A listed winner in La Plata’s Clásico Luis Monteverde, she took San Isidro’s Clásico Vale Dori before failing on heavy turf in the General Las Heras (G3). Returning to dirt and the tighter inner track last time, she showed her best with a sharp victory in the Clásico Snow Figure.

She won’t lack strong opposition, starting with Oriental Boy (Cosmic Trigger, 53.5kg), who receives a significant weight break and arrives on a roll with three consecutive wins at Palermo, showing impressive recent form.

Giant Rimout (Remote, 53.5kg) disappointed in the Pippermint (G2) but had previously hinted at regaining the form that saw him finish second in the Gran Premio Gran Criterium (G1) as a juvenile, behind Unico Happy (Hi Happy).

Another to consider is Glorioso Rim (Remote, 53kg), who comes in light and has won two of his last three starts in the alternative division.

Santo Varón (Sebi Halo, 54.5kg) can be inconsistent but has the talent to surprise, while Talento Emergente (Equal Talent, 55kg) and Mario’s Rim (Remote, 55kg) will look to seize their chance to shine once again.