Valdobbio returned in peak form and now sets his sights on the Clásico Ciudad de La Plata
The sprinter made amends for his disqualification in the Clásico General Belgrano (G2) with a solid wire-to-wire victory in the Clásico Carlos Pellegrini. He turned back Masky by 2 1/2 lengths to prove his elite class remains fully intact
LA PLATA.— The redemption Valdobbio was seeking arrived in the finest possible fashion: on the lead from the break, dictating terms, and leaving zero room for doubt. The experienced sprinter captured the Clásico Carlos Pellegrini (1100 m, fast dirt) this Thursday, rapidly reclaiming his status among the sprinting division at Hipódromo de La Plata and placing the prestigious Clásico Ciudad de La Plata (G2)—the venue's flagship sprint—firmly back on his radar.
There was unfinished business to settle for the winner. In his only previous appearance this season, he hit the line fourth in the Clásico General Manuel Belgrano (G2), only to be disqualified post-race for a medication violation. This time, he settled matters purely on the track with absolute authority, reconfirming the raw talent that has long marked him as a runner of high caliber.
Valdobbio waited for no one. The moment the stalls opened, he bounded out with purpose to seize the lead and immediately establish the tempo. Masky (Mask) joined the chase from the start, refusing to let him slip away, while the rest of the field settled into position and Redentor Scat (Knockout) raced restrained, awaiting the ideal moment to launch his bid.
The script remained unchanged turning into the home stretch. Far from faltering, Valdobbio responded with vigor when asked to accelerate, extending his advantage. Masky tried to maintain the pressure, but the pacesetter kept the situation under total control and drew clear decisively to pass the wire 2 1/2 lengths ahead, with Daniel A. Arias in the irons, as has so often been the case.
The real battle unfolded for the place honors, where Masky managed to preserve second by a nose over Redentor Scat, who closed late and wide. The favorite ran out of real estate to complete his rally, though he turned in a respectable performance nonetheless. His late surge left the impression that a cleaner trip might have yielded a higher finish.
The final time of 1m05s12/100 reflected the grueling nature of the race, adding extra merit to the winner's performance, as he sustained his own blistering early tempo all the way to the wire.
This was just Valdobbio's second start of 2026, leaving ample upside for further improvement as his campaign progresses. His career record now stands at 5 wins from just 12 lifetime starts, 3 of which have come in stakes company, building on last season's victories in the Clásico José M. Boquín (L) and the Clásico Uberto F. Vignart(G3).
Now, the Clásico Ciudad de La Plata looms as the paramount objective. Valdobbio missed the 2025 running, but he now looks poised to make up for lost time. The Pellegrini provided the perfect path to redemption, putting him back in the winner's circle and serving notice that when he is allowed to dictate terms from the gates, he remains one of the toughest horses to run down at the Bosque.
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