Winston Leaves No Doubt With Commanding Polla de Potrillos Victory

After a trip that saw him race a bit uncomfortably early on, the gray took command around the turn and drew off with authority to score by 4 lengths

Winston has now posted back-to-back graded stakes victories at La Plata / HLP

LA PLATA.- Dominant, composed, and giving every indication that his best is still ahead, Winston delivered a commanding performance to capture the Clásico Polla de Potrillos (G3, 1600m, dirt) on Thursday, the opening leg of the 2025 La Plata Triple Crown. With the filly Elenika (Winning Prize) having taken Tuesday’s G3 version for the girls, the son of Forge now stands as one of just two remaining aspirants for the coveted sweep.

After a somewhat anxious win in the Clásico Isidoro Aramburu (G3), this time there was no such drama for the Juan Saldivia trainee, who proved clearly superior to his nine rivals and, for now at least, firmly established himself as the top 3-year-old in the Bosque.

Running back just 16 days after his previous start posed no issue for the gray, whose trip could be broken into two distinct halves. The first part saw him stuck in traffic and racing a bit uncomfortably behind several others. But once the field hit the far turn and Winston angled out, he began to lengthen his stride, took command with about 550 meters to go, and never looked back.

Unbroken (Seahenge) set the pace early, tracked by Gatao (Daddy Long Legs), with Llebrenc (Forge), Amuni(Tetaze), and Vampiro Zen (Zensational) chasing just behind. Winston was buried behind that group, but began making his move around the turn and quickly ranged up to the leaders.

By the time the field straightened for home, Winston was in full control. His superiority was obvious as Jorge Peralta, his regular rider, gave him a couple of reminders and the colt powered away in style.

At the wire, Winston was 4 lengths in front of Regalo del Sol (Lucullan), who closed from the outside to finish second. One length back came Un Infierno (Dabster) in third, with the rest trailing in a strung-out field, a full 34 1/2 lengthsseparating the winner from the last horse. Final time was a sharp 1:38.17, after splits of 25.2, 47.94 and 1:13.46.

Bred by Haras La Manija and racing for Stud Don Valentino, Winston seems to have found his best form at La Plata, benefitting from the maturity time brings. After a promising runner-up finish behind Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) in the Clásico Pedro Goenaga (G3), he disappointed with a flat fourth in the Clásico Old Man (G3), leaving connections frustrated. But he has rebounded in style.

Displaying speed, precocity and a growing aptitude for added distance, Winston appears to have a bright future. His pedigree also suggests stamina, with names like champion Forty Licks (Not for Sale), the revered Newmarket (Salt Marsh), and G1 winner Pepe Joy (Fortify) all appearing in his lineage.

Looking ahead, options abound. Staying home for the Clásico Jockey Club de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (G2), the second jewel of the Triple Crown, appears the logical next step. However, a tempting alternative could be a tilt at the G1 Gran Premio Polla de Potrillos in Palermo, where he would face tougher competition, including barnmate Amor de Contramano (Gouverneur Morris) and the classy Drive Joy (Fortify).

Regardless of what’s next, Winston left no doubt about his standing with a decisive victory in one of the most sought-after races of the La Plata calendar.