Treasure Island and Cuan Chef Head the Entries for the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha

La Plata’s Premier Event Set for November 19, With the González, Ciudad de La Plata, Marcos Levalle, and Cooperativa de Criadores de SPC Stakes Completing the Card

Treasure Island, the 2024 Dardo Rocha Champion / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

LA PLATA, Argentina (Especial para Turf Diario).— The excitement for the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1) is building in La Plata following Friday’s announcement of 22 entries for the nation’s signature provincial race, set for November 19 at the city’s namesake racecourse. With ARS 150 million to the winner, this year’s renewal promises a deep and competitive field.

Leading the lineup is Treasure Island (Treasure Beach), the defending champion after his emphatic victory in the 2024 edition, alongside Cuan Chef (Daddy Long Legs), winner of last year’s Gran Premio Nacional (G1) at Palermo, and Sono Perfetto (Tetaze), who arrives off a strong score in the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires (G2).

Other notable names among the entries include Albakiara (Hi Happy), Best Portal (Portal del Alto), Célebre Happy(Hi Happy), Cornwall (Remote), Davalos (Hi Happy), Don Champagne (Long Island Sound), El Darwin (Il Campione), Emblematicu (Lucullan), Endor Rye (Endorsement), Furious Desain (Furious Key), Lago Nahuel Huapi (Hurricane Cat), Le Quotidien (Le Ken), Mannarino (Cosmic Trigger), Puro Poder Real (Puro Blabla), Seek Wave (Seek Again), Soñador Spring (Greenspring), Tambaqui (True Cause), and The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja).

The supporting card will once again feature a prestigious set of graded races, including the Clásico Joaquín V. González (G2–1600m), Clásico Ciudad de La Plata (G2–1200m), Clásico Marcos Levalle (G2–1600m, fillies and mares), and the Clásico Asociación Cooperativa de Criadores de SPC (L–1100m).

Among the 17 entries for the Joaquín V. González are top milers such as Adorado Rim (Remote), El Ernesto (Señor Candy), Piñazo (John F Kennedy), Song Joy (Fortify), and Unico Happy (Hi Happy).

The Ciudad de La Plata attracted the largest field with 43 nominations, led by record-holder Es Aristocrático(Angiolo), who will face formidable sprinters like El Resero Con Capa, Lo Dejo Todo, and Rugiente.

For fillies, the Marcos Levalle (G2) will feature several familiar names, including Causeway Girl, Illa Alegre, Increpante, and Soy La Líder, while the Asociación Cooperativa de Criadores drew 15 entries, among them Save Your Tears, Queen Longines, and La Meninha.

Final declarations and rider assignments will be accepted until Monday at 11 a.m., with official entries and race times to be released later that day.

The stage is set for another memorable Dardo Rocha Day, La Plata’s grand racing tradition where champions are crowned and legends renewed.