Without Sarzana Pass, anything can happen in the Clásico General Lavalle

La Bella Otero returns from a long layoff, Campo Verde ships in for a shot at the Buenos Aires sprint, and La Alfonsolooks to confirm her progress in a field lacking a clear standout

La Bella Otero beating Sarzana Pass—the day they both debuted / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

Speed among juveniles will take center stage Monday at Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo in the final major clash before the upcoming Clásico Estrellas Sprint (G3). The occasion will be the Clásico General Lavalle (G3, 1000m, dirt), notably missing Sarzana Pass (Distinctiv Passion), the current leader of the division who was withdrawn at the time of final entries.

With her absence, the field of seven looks evenly matched, though preference goes to La Bella Otero, who returns to action after 120 days on the sidelines following a promising and precocious beginning to her career. The daughter of Daddy Long Legs scored a decisive win over the aforementioned Sarzana Pass on debut, though she finished third, beaten three lengths by that same rival, in the Clásico Carlos Casares (G3) next out.

The road to victory won’t be easy, with contenders like Campo Verde (Strategos), who ran a more-than-credible third in the Clásico Velocidad (G3) on turf and now returns to the surface where he crushed on debut by six lengths.

La Alfonso (Grand Reward) was third behind Sarzana Pass and La Bella Otero in her debut but has since proven herself in the provinces, capturing the Carrera de las Estrellas Pampeanas 2025 in Santa Rosa and the Clásico Estrellas Villa María Junior, the latter by a dazzling 12 lengths in a sharp 58.13.

Exclamación Pass (Distinctiv Passion) changed silks and trainers and responded with a dramatic turnaround, romping by five lengths down the Palermo straight in a performance impressive enough to warrant a jump into stakes company.

The experienced Viejo Cuchara (Il Campione), with eight starts under his belt, will try to continue his steady progress after finishing just a length behind Campo Verde when fourth in the Velocidad.

Also returning from a layoff is El Fortín (Il Campione), who comes in off a maiden score and looks to make his presence felt, while southern double winner Antiguo Secreto (Angiolo) is another capable of springing a surprise.