The Distinctiv Passion filly earned a brave and significant victory in the G3 Clásico México
The crowd could almost reach out and touch Sarzana Pass as she unleashed her rally / JUAN I. BOZZELLO
The first clash with elders could hardly have left a sweeter taste for Sarzana Pass. Confirming all she had shown against her own generation, El Alfalfar’s filly stamped herself as a force in the G3 Clásico México (1000m, dirt), turning back seasoned rivals to climb into the upper tier of the local sprint division.
In a high-pressure affair, the daughter of Distinctiv Passion proved her grit, collaring Eleven Mile (Il Campione) in the shadow of the wire to reclaim the winner’s circle and propel herself into the conversation among the best speed fillies—no small feat given the depth of young talent in the category.
Her victory was no surprise, though it was earned with merit. Settling early, she built momentum as the race unfolded, showing the kind of determination and power that refused to concede. At the 200-meter mark she still had work to do, but her relentless rally carried her to the front when it mattered.
With Gustavo Calvente back in the irons and trained by his father Héctor, the bay broke sharply before settling just off the heated battle between heavy favorite Lagoa Azul (Lenovo) and Candy and Giant (Giant’s Pleasure). As they turned for home, Lagoa Azul edged clear, but both Eleven Mile on the inside and Sarzana Pass up against the rail pressed hard. The trio fought all the way to the line, with Sarzana Pass asserting late for a half-length score.
Madame Bic (Puerto Escondido) closed strongly to be a valuable third, while Lagoa Azul faded to fourth by a nose. Flamboyance Rim (Remote) checked in fifth, and Candy and Giant trailed the field, looking in need of a return to her preferred turning sprints. Final time was a sharp :55.87, an excellent clocking under the new Buenos Aires timing system.
Out of Genovesa Key (Key Deputy), Sarzana Pass now boasts five wins from eight starts. With her résumé growing, El Alfalfar looks to have a sprinter capable of carrying its silks much further in the division.