Argentine dual Classic winner Hi Happy (Arg) (Pure Prize) puts his undefeated record on the line against 20 rivals in the G1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, South America's most prestigious race, Saturday in Buenos Aires. The unbeaten–in five starts– Haras La Providencia homebred–conditioned by renowned Brazilian trainer Pedro Nickel Filho–comes off impressive victories in the Argentine Classics, the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club and G1 Gran Premio Nacional (Argentine Derby). Under regular pilot Altair Domingos, Hi Happy will break from post 14.
The top challenger to the La Providencia colorbearer is Derby runner-up Old Bunch (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}), a tenacious frontrunner who will mark his first start on the turf and outside of Hipodromo Palermo. The Antonio Marsiglia pupil captured the G2 Clasico Coronel Miguel F. Martinez and G2 Clasico Eduardo Casey before giving way in the final sixteenth to Hi Happy in the 2500-meter Nacional.
Hi Happy's other main opposition may come from Brazil. The always dangerous Brazilian contingent is led by Group 1-winning sophomore Braco Forte (Brz) (Manduro {Ger}), recent runner-up in the G1 Grande Premio Derby Paulista (Sao Paulo Derby), and 4-year old Champion Star (Brz) (Hard Buck {Brz}), awarded first in the G2 Grande Premio Ministro da Agricultura over the Pellegrini distance. Brazilian representatives have captured five renewals of South America's marquee race dating back to 1980.
Argentine Group 1 winner Ordak Dan (Arg) (Hidden Truth), last seen finishing ninth behind Europeans Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the $3 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, holds an upset chance. Ordak Dan will break from post four under South America's winningest jockey, Jorge Ricardo.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
