Treasure Runner Hitting All the Right Notes Right Now

Son of Treasure Beach Looms Large in Deep Renewal of Handicap Full Sail (1800 m)

Treasure Runner Eyes Third Straight Trip to the Winner’s Circle / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

On another Wednesday where alternate-condition races take center stage, the Handicap Full Sail will bring a touch of class to the Hipódromo de San Isidro. Set for 1800 meters on the dirt training track, the feature drew a compact but intriguing field of six older runners.

At first glance, the race appears to revolve around a pair of up-and-comers—The Gladiator's Hit (Hit It a Bomb, 55kg) and Treasure Runner (Treasure Beach, 56kg)—as well as the seasoned El Despertar (Il Campione, 58.5kg), already a stakes winner.

A front-running type who has improved steadily with maturity, Treasure Runner is currently in the best form of his career. His last two outings were decisive victories, both suggesting he's earned this chance to prove himself at a higher level.

The Gladiator's Hit, on the other hand, took eight starts to break his maiden but has since rattled off three straight wins, all at 2000 meters. He cuts back slightly in trip here, but his current momentum makes him tough to overlook.

El Despertar, a proven commodity at this level, exits a fourth-place finish behind Don Rocky (Equal Stripes) in the Handicap Parwiz, and remains a constant threat. The wildcard is Sofware (Treasure Beach, 59kg), who returns off a layoff but has graded credentials to his name. Rounding out the field is Operístico (Daddy Long Legs, 56kg), who drops in class seeking to regain his best form.

While numbers may be light, quality and potential make this edition of the Handicap Full Sail a race worth watching.