With Labrado Absent, Le Cornette Emerges as the Leading Contender in a Tough Renewal of the Maipú

Winner of the Estrellas Sprint (G1), He Comes Off a Runner-Up Finish to the Triple Champion in the Suipacha (G1) and Faces Several Dangerous Rivals Ahead

Le Cornette Captured the Estrellas Sprint (G1) at Palermo / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

As has long been tradition, speed will once again take center stage on Gran Premio Nacional day at the Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo, with the Gran Premio Maipú (G1 – 1000m, dirt) standing as the key sprint of the afternoon and a decisive event for the division.

The withdrawal of Labrado (Le Blues)—the reigning triple champion—was headline news. Fresh off a strong comeback victory in the GI Suipacha on San Isidro’s turf, the Bonetto-trained star seemed perfectly placed to reaffirm his dominance. His absence, however, has left the race wide open.

The spotlight now falls on Le Cornette (Emmanuel), runner-up to Labrado last time and back on the same track where he rose to prominence earlier this year, defeating the champion himself in both the GI Estrellas Sprint and the G3 Clásico Paraguay, as part of a remarkable three-race streak that began in the Handicap Laramie Trail.

But the popular “Chacorta de la calle” will have no easy task. Chief among his threats is the talented yet inconsistent Bailarín de Venecia (Angiolo), sixth in the Suipacha but winner of the G2 Clásico Cyllene, where Le Cornette was off form.

Pablo Sahagián fields another strong contender in El Madrugador (Il Campione), a colt of high regard who performed creditably in the Suipacha. Meanwhile, Alfredo Gaitán Dassié sends out Naranccello (Le Blues), a lightly raced three-year-old with three wins from four starts and plenty of upside as he takes his shot at top company.

Adding intrigue to the lineup is the lone filly, Go Clari Go (Strategos), who carries just 53.5 kilos and comes off a dominant victory over older mares in the G3 Lotería de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires down this same straight. The gray from Stud Friends is dangerous and could well spring a surprise.

Another one to watch is El Epecuén (Il Campione), a proven performer between 1200 and 1400 meters who shortens up to the straight 1000 for the first time, relying on class and experience to stay in contention.

Finally, just three days removed from his victory in the Handicap Utópico, Santo Federal (Santillano) returns in search of a bold encore at the highest level.

With Labrado absent, the Gran Premio Maipú promises to be a wide-open and fiercely contested dash—one where Le Cornette will seek to confirm his supremacy, but where challengers of every style and stripe will be eager to seize their own moment of glory.