Valdobbio Delivers Best Performance to Romp in Clásico José M. Boquín

The son of Hit It a Bomb went straight to the front and drew clear in the stretch to secure the biggest win of his career

Valdobbio drew off with ease through the lane / HLP

LA PLATA.- Valdobbio (Hit It a Bomb) may not be the most consistent colt around, but when he decides to show his best, he can really run. Coming off a confidence-restoring allowance win at Palermo, the Stud La Elbita runner returned Tuesday to his home base and turned in the strongest performance of his career, cruising to victory in the Listed Clásico José M. Boquín (1200m, dirt).

Ridden by Daniel E. Arias, the dark bay was sharp from the break, racing head-to-head early with Viejo Cuchara (Il Campione), who had beaten him last out in the Listed Clásico Club Hípico de Tandil. This time, however, the story was quite different. The Stud Tinta Roja colt faded midway on the turn and trailed in last, perhaps dealing with an issue.

Left alone up front, Valdobbio seized command at the top of the stretch, shifted toward the center of the track, and drew off to put the race to bed. The late-running favorite Garboso Frank (Gidu) reduced the margin but never threatened, finishing 2 1/2 lengths adrift. Vendaval Joy (Roman Joy) was another four lengths back in third, with Vampiro Zen (Zensational) completing the superfecta. Final time was a sharp 1:10.61, after splits of :23.59 and :46.84.

Trained by Raúl Ramallo, Valdobbio was bred by Haras Firmamento and is the third foal out of Valdobbia (Equal Stripes), herself a granddaughter of the great Valery Toss (Egg Toss), dam of G1 winners Vacacionada (Southern Halo) and Valery Lady (Roy), G2 scorer Vacacionado (Southern Halo), G3 winner Vanguardia (Roy), and Valareusse (Equalize), ancestress of outstanding G1 mare Vale Dori (Asiatic Boy).

Now with three wins from seven starts, Valdobbio has stamped himself as a rising player among La Plata’s sophomore sprinters. With the G2 Clásico Ciudad de La Plata looming on the calendar, expectations are on the rise.