Viva Al Sur Ignites Palermo and Sets Sights on a Strong Season Finale

With Adrián Giannetti in the irons, the chestnut mare returned to top form, cruising to a decisive victory in the Handicap Platería — a fitting send-off to the breeding shed, richly deserved

Viva Al Sur’s Powerful Finish Secures Her Fourth Handicap Victory / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

In the coming weeks, Viva Al Sur is expected to head to the breeding shed for service to a quality stallion, beginning the next chapter of her career at Haras El Caldén in Santa Rosa, La Pampa. There, she will take her place as one of the star broodmares for Gustavo and Lito Scarpello’s operation.

For now, the Scarpello siblings are enjoying the exploits of their chestnut mare, who continues to make noise in the handicap ranks. This past Monday at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, Viva Al Sur heated up the cool evening, cruising to a clear victory in the Handicap Platería, contested over 1400 meters on a standard dirt track.

Under the guidance of jockey Adrián Giannetti, the striking daughter of South Kissing bounced back after a string of less impressive efforts, reminding racing fans of the form that carried her to consecutive wins in late 2024 and early 2025 in the handicaps Saint Simon, Jerry Honor, and Rafale—a collection of prestigious names.

Carrying 58 ½ kilos, she made the most of the lackluster effort from the heavy favorite Amiguita Gina (Todo Un Amiguito, 62), a multiple graded stakes winner who, despite a weight concession (she should have carried at least a couple more kilos), appeared uncomfortable from the break to the finish.

Unbothered by outside factors, Viva Al Sur settled close to the pace as usual, while Che Mamita (Safety Check, 57 ½) and Aiyanna (Santillano, 60 ½) took the lead, pressed by race dynamics and the absence of natural front-runners.

Those two battled until the 250-meter mark, when Viva Al Sur swung out from an inside lane, powered past, and crossed the wire with a 2 ½-length advantage. Aiyanna finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Che Mamita, with Amiguita Gina only managing fifth. The final time was a sharp 1:23.41.

Owned by Vivire (Sunray Spirit), Viva Al Sur notched her eighth victory in 23 career starts, her fourth at this competitive level, boosting earnings to 37,284,250 pesos. There may still be time for one or two more attempts to add black-type to her pedigree, but if not, she’s certainly earned enough to put her racing career in a neat frame.