Vundu Returns as San Isidro Offers a Trio of Stakes Highlights

Suggestive Boy's Son Vundu Returns After Nine-Month Layoff in G2 Ecuador; G2 Pippermint and L Anasagasti Complete a High-Class Afternoon at San Isidro

Vundu Rides Four-Race Win Streak Into Much-Anticipated Return / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

After two lackluster weekday cards, Hipódromo de San Isidro is set to bounce back in style Saturday with a high-quality program featuring three black-type events and a return to the turf—at least on paper.

The afternoon’s stakes lineup is headlined by the return of Vundu in the G2 Clásico Ecuador, supported by the G2 Clásico Pippermint for older horses over 1400 meters, and the Listed Manuel Anasagasti, which could serve as a springboard for some of the 3-year-olds aiming at the G1 Estrellas Juvenile later this month on the dirt at Palermo, or with longer-term aspirations toward the G1 2000 Guineas, next major target for the division over this same course.

It’ll be the sophomores who kick off the stakes action, with Legalized (Dabster) looking to confirm the strong impression he made when romping on debut going 1500 meters over the dirt at Palermo. That day, he drew off by five lengths over Piñazo (John F Kennedy)—a next-out winner—with Ardiendo (Remote) another eight lengths back in third. The latter franked the form by capturing the G1 Gran Criterium just days ago.

Also among the contenders is Sargento Morris (Gouverneur Morris), who was a smart debut winner over the same course and distance, defeating a colt named Marruecos (Leofric), who is expected to make headlines of his own very soon.

The biggest challenge for both Legalized and Sargento Morris could be the switch to turf—a hurdle Engualichao(Roman Joy) won’t have to face, having already notched a solid win in wet northern conditions after a promising debut.

Next up comes the Clásico Pippermint (G2), a rematch of many top older sprinter-milers who met just over a month ago in the G3 Southern Halo under similar conditions. That day, Don Latido (John F Kennedy) surged from midpack to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Tooru (Lizard Island), with Colifato Novo (Lenovo)—a former champion—setting the pace and finishing third just a head behind, and Earth God (Cosmic Trigger) disappointing in fifth.

All of them except Tooru return for another showdown, with the late-running G1 winner Bronx (Qué Vida Buena), the speedy Midnight Runner (Forge), and the mercurial What a Man (Mastercraftsman) adding further intrigue to what looks like a wide-open contest.

The feature of the day, however, is the Clásico Ecuador (G2) and the long-awaited return of Vundu, one of the country’s most exciting horses. Unraced for 281 days, the Suggestive Boy colt returns at his ideal distance and surface, looking to stretch his winning streak to five. His last appearance came when capturing the G1 Estrellas Classic, capping a spectacular first campaign.

Comando Secreto (War Command), a G1 winner in his own right, also lines up after regaining confidence with a victory in the Listed Macon, while Ronda de Ases (Forge) showed plenty of promise when fifth in his comeback in the G1 Gran Premio República Argentina, and will try to go forward once again—but this time stay on better.

Saturday at San Isidro promises a return to form for the northern oval, with top-class horses, competitive fields, and a stakes-laden card sure to deliver.