When Health Is on His Side, Le Cornette Always Delivers

The Sprinter Regained the Spotlight in the Laramie Trail, Earning the Sixth Win of His Talented Yet Inconsistent Career

Le Cornette Kept Finding More Up Front as the Race Progressed / HAPSA

Shaking off the rust from his seasonal return, Le Cornette bounced back to winning ways Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, capturing the Handicap Laramie Trail (1000m, fast) to close out the card’s featured double.

The son of Emmanuel has long shown flashes of real speed, but a stop-and-start career—marked by several lengthy breaks—has often prevented him from realizing his full potential. With his health finally cooperating, the 6-year-old showed that class and raw talent are still very much intact.

Once a promising juvenile for Stud Garabo, Le Cornette captured the Especial Iniciación and Clásico Congreve (L), before finishing runner-up in both the Clásico Santiago Luro (G2) and Clásico Guillermo Kemmis (G3). He signed off his 2-year-old season with a third in the Clásico Sprint Junior (G3), then went off the radar for eight months. Several more setbacks followed, but connections are hoping this latest comeback finally sticks.

Under Emanuel Jairo Flores and toting 59.5 kilos, Le Cornette broke sharply and engaged early with Gonna Fly Now(Key Deputy, 61.5). The pair locked horns for the first half before Le Cornette edged clear and kicked away decisively, opening up daylight and drawing off to score by 2 1/2 lengths over Príncipe Soñado (Fragotero, 61), who nearly handed Facundo Coria and Darío Periga a stakes double after their earlier win with Despacito in the Handicap British Empire. A further 1 1/2 lengths back came Maranelo (Holy Boss, 59.5), while Elder Statesman (Il Campione, 54) finished a close fourth.

The clock stopped at a sharp 54.50 for the straight five furlongs.

Disappointments included Kiriel (Catcher In the Rye, 57) and Filoso Class (Filoso Emperor, 63), who ran seventh and ninth, respectively, without threatening.

Trained by Gerardo Nicolás Alteño for Stud Chajarí, Le Cornette now owns 6 wins from 16 starts, and with his health finally aligning with his ability, hopes are high that he can reestablish himself among the country’s top sprinters.