The Son of Portal del Alto Captures the Clásico Jockey Club de Córdoba, Marching Smoothly Toward His Main Goal
Look Portal Overcomes Poor Break With Stamina / HLP
LA PLATA.- Breaking last at the start of Tuesday’s Clásico Jockey Club de Córdoba (2200m, dirt, La Plata), Look Portal (Portal del Alto) quickly turned what could have been a costly mistake into a mere anecdote. The Stud Haras Cachagua runner regrouped, settled comfortably, and in the final stages imposed his stamina-driven stride to secure a convincing victory, confirming his status as one of the leading stayers at the Bosque.
With the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha looming on the horizon, the 4-year-old continues to take the right steps forward, sharpening his form and building momentum toward the centerpiece of the La Plata season.
Previously successful in the Clásico Federación Argentina de Jockey Clubes e Hipódromos, Look Portal is aiming to better his sixth-place finish in last year’s Dardo Rocha. If his current progression holds, he appears well on track to tackle the tougher assignments ahead.
Ridden by Kevin Banegas, the bay raced midpack for much of the journey before improving wide down the backstretch. He engaged Bombón Escosés (Bodemeister) around the turn, dispatched him in upper stretch, and kept on strongly with his trademark relentless gallop. He crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths clear of Best Portal (Portal del Alto), who closed well to be second, with Sofware (Treasure Beach) holding third another half-length back after making much of the running. Che Banquero (Greenspring), a dual stakes winner earlier this season, settled for fourth two lengths adrift. Final time was 2:17.76 after splits of :25.28, :50.27, 1:15.43, and 1:39.70.
Bred by María I. Solveyra and Patricio E. Donovan and trained by Nicolás Martín Ferro, Look Portal has put together a terrific campaign this season, having earlier captured the Clásico Uruguay at La Plata, the Clásico Calidoscopio (L) at San Isidro, and the Handicap Arturo A. at Palermo.
All that remains is to deliver at the very top level of the division, and judging by his current trajectory, Look Portal looks ready to embrace that challenge.