Valle Barun Cruises Home with Authority in Hándicap Your Majesty

Stud El Mouflon’s standard-bearer delivered a stylish victory, once again reigniting the debate over weight assignments in Argentine racing

Lucas González and Valle Barun drew off with ease for a straightforward victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Missing the topweight El Patio (Il Campione, 63) and the multiple Grade 1 placed Royal Rimout (Remote), the Hándicap Your Majesty (1600m, standard dirt) found a surprising winner in Valle Barun, who made the most of the unusually light 51 ½ kilos assigned by the handicapper.

How weights are assigned in these types of races in Argentina remains a mystery—what criteria are considered and what are overlooked when setting the scale. The fact is some horses benefit while others do not, and the son of Vástago Salvaje clearly fell into the former category.

Having posted strong performances at this level not long ago, Valle Barun carried significantly less weight than others coming up from maiden ranks or from horses like the topweight Safety Honour (Safety Check, 61), whom he even managed to beat by several lengths.

Since this issue shows no signs of resolution given the lack of professionalism in the system, it must be said that the chestnut, trained by Roberto Gutiérrez, was expertly guided by promising rider Lucas González, who has been overcoming his recent suspension with strong results.

The unexpected favorite Super Blessed (Super Saver, 54 ½) took the lead almost effortlessly, putting pressure on Easy Way Out (Il Campione, 62) and Safety Honour, both of whom raced far behind. Not so for González, who positioned Valle Barun midfield. Into the stretch, after splits of 23.43 and 46.64 seconds, Super Blessed faced a challenge from Demonio Risk (Security Risk, 55 ½), while Valle Barun began to surge through the center of the track.

As the front-runners battled, the winner powered past and crossed the wire three lengths clear of Demonio Risk, who managed to overtake the leader by a narrow margin to finish second. Easy Way Out was fourth, Safety Honour fifth, both unable to threaten late. The final time of 1:33.98 was among the best of the afternoon.

Bred by Haras Alborada and owned by Stud El Mouflon, this marked Valle Barun’s fifth career victory, finally earning his moment in the spotlight.