With 17 horses confirmed, the Pellegrini enters its decisive hours

The most important race on the continent did not suffer any withdrawals from its original list; Frankie Dettori will be aboard El Pulque, whom he worked on Tuesday morning at San Isidro

The Hipódromo de San Isidro is gearing up for its biggest celebration / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

With the final list of participants confirmed, speculation has ended ahead of the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1–2400m, turf), the most important race on the continent, to be run next Saturday at the Hipódromo de San Isidro with a purse of 500,000,000 pesos.

There were no defections from the original entry list, meaning 17 horses will break from the backstretch chute of the Jockey Club Argentino course, each giving everything in pursuit of ultimate glory.

Many of the top local stayers—joined by the two best in Brazil—shape a contest that promises everything, and which will feature a distinctive highlight: the presence of the legendary Italian jockey Lanfranco Dettori, who begins his South American farewell tour in Argentina before continuing on to Uruguay for the Ramírez (G1) and then to Brazil in early February.

On his second visit to the country—he last rode at Palermo in 2008—Dettori will partner El Pulque (Heliostatic), whom he worked this morning at San Isidro’s Campo 2 under heavy rain.

The Conrado Linares trainee covered 1200 meters in 1:16 4/5, finishing with a final 12 seconds, pleasing all involved. Working alongside him was Lucrecia Carabajal, experiencing a unique and unforgettable moment: breezing in company with one of her idols.

The leading candidate in the Pellegrini is Brazil’s Obataye (Courtier), winner of the latest Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) and to be ridden by Joao Moreira, another global riding titan. The dark bay also captured the Grande Premio Brasil (G1) and Matías Machline (G1).

Argentina’s main hopes center on Acento Final (Treasure Beach)—victor of the Gran Premio Jockey Club (G1) in 2024 and now carrying consecutive wins in the General San Martín (G1) and Copa de Oro (G1)—and on Real Rim(Remote), hero of this year’s Jockey Club and specifically trained for this race.

Also expected in the gate are The Gladiator’s Hat (Hat Ninja), winner of the Gran Premio Dardo Rocha (G1); Vundu (Suggestive Boy), looking to rebound from his slip in the Latinoamericano; Crazy Talent (Equal Talent), who this season captured the Gran Premio de Honor (G1) and the Comparación (G2) and Chacabuco (G2); and Brazil’s Havana Cigar (Can the Man), recent winner of the Grande Premio Derby Paulista (G1). They are joined by Vota Bien (Hi Happy) and Time to Think (Seahenge), respective runner-up and third to Acento Final in the Copa de Oro.

Ardiendo (Remote), winner of the Clásico Provincia de Buenos Aires (G3); Cortocircuito (Daddy Long Legs); Equal Mostaza (Equal Stripes); Herald News (Equal Stripes); Holy Holy Rim (Remote); Jazzy Frank (Gidu); and Out of the Blue (Brz–Drosselmeyer) complete the lineup.

The Pellegrini winner will earn 250,000,000 pesos, with prize money down to eighth place as follows: 87,500,000 for second, 50,000,000 for third, 32,500,000 for fourth, 27,500,000 for fifth, 22,500,000 for sixth, 17,500,000 for seventh, and 12,500,000 for eighth.