The Safety Check filly went wire to wire with authority in the Clásico Irlanda (G3), reaffirming her outstanding form
For the first time in 19 years, a filly bested the boys in the Clásico Irlanda (G3, 1000m, dirt), one of the key stepping stones for sprinters on the road to the division’s first major showdown of the season—the Gran Premio Ciudad de Buenos Aires (G1).
Not since Ondina (Southern Halo) in 2006 had a mare managed to defeat the colts in this prestigious contest, a streak that came to an end Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, thanks to a brilliant performance from Vida Amorosa, who is currently enjoying the hottest form of her solid and generous career.
Returning to her roots with a frontrunning style and making full use of an advantageous outside draw, the Safety Check filly led from gate to wire, only needing to dig in late to repel her rivals. With this victory, she vaulted up the sprinting rankings and firmly established herself as a contender for the May 1 showdown.
After suffering a pair of defeats to Lagoa Azul (Lenovo)—who saw her own stock rise indirectly—Vida Amorosa was unstoppable this time, once again partnering with Rodrigo Bascuñán, the jockey who has transformed her career.
As always, the chestnut filly broke fast, took the diagonal toward the rail, and once she reached the firmer section of the Palermo straight, she set a scorching pace. She clocked the first 400 meters in 20.32, hit the 800-meter mark in 41.94 (fractions that may raise eyebrows, though updates on timing technology are on the way…), and from the 200-meter pole to the wire, she showed her stamina, digging deep to turn back the challenge of favorite A La Vista (Angiolo), whom she defeated for the third time, this time by a length.
Another 1 1/2 lengths back, Yukon Jack (Glory Seattle) ran a creditable race to finish third, with Mr. Boombastic(Lucky Island) another four lengths behind in fourth. Lone Ranger (Le Blues), winner of the Clásico Jerry Honor last time out, failed to fire and finished last. The final time was a swift 53.86 over a lightning-fast track.
While the Clásico Irlanda field may not have been the toughest in recent memory, Vida Amorosa left no doubt about her superiority, stamping her authority with a dominant victory. She now boasts eight wins from 29 starts, including three at the G3 level, and is nearing 50 million pesos in career earnings.
Bred by Haras Don Yayo and trained by Gustavo Aguirre, the filly is the second foal out of Vida Perfecta(Perfectperformance), who placed fourth in the Clásico Asociación Cooperativa de Criadores de SPC (L). She hails from the same family as Full Keynote (Full Mast), who captured the Clásico Antártida Argentina (L) last Saturday at San Isidro.
Her fourth dam, the notable Kefallinia (Saint Sever), also produced via her daughters and granddaughters champion Kiriaki (Catcher In the Rye), G1 winner Full Keid (Full Mast), and graded stakes winners Kiriel (Orpen), Kandara (Catcher In the Rye), and Key Dance (Freud). Kefallinia was a half-sister to standout runners Idomene (Grand Chelem), Menesteo (Fitzcarraldo), and the durable Duliquio (Grand Chelem), all bred at the legendary, now-defunct Haras Ojo de Agua.
Vida Amorosa took the step forward she needed in the Clásico Irlanda. With less than two months until the Ciudad de Buenos Aires, the question now is whether she will wait for the big stage or take on an intermediate challenge along the way. One thing is certain—when she’s blazing fast and skimming the rail at Palermo, she’s impossible to ignore.
Comments