Argentine star Idolo Porteno almost ready for U.S. debut

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Idolo Porteno took Argentina by storm in 2014, when he was named the country’s Horse of the Year for dominating such classics as the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini. He is now based at Oaklawn Park and is nearing his North American debut, according to new trainer Ignacio Correas.

“We are planning his comeback by mid-March,” said Correas.

Idolo Porteno, who is being considered for the Grade 3, $350,000 Razorback Handicap on March 19, is a 6-year-old Argentine-bred by Jump Start. In addition to the $243,200 Pellegrini, in which he defeated 20 rivals on turf by a widening four lengths at San Isidro in Argentina, he won the Group 1 Dardo Rocha, a main-track race at La Plata in Argentina. Overall, the horse is 4 for 10.

Idolo Porteno last raced in June, when fifth in the Group 1 Estrellas Classic at San Isidro.

“His last race was like our Breeders’ Cup, the Classic,” said Correas. “He came to Kentucky last year around September. He went to a farm, spent two months there, then I got him in October. He’s a very good-looking horse, and I’m looking forward to seeing him racing.”

Correas said Idolo Porteno will continue to compete for the ownership of Jose Cerillo, Fernando Fantini, and Jose Luis Guerra. The group has ties to Mexico and Chile. Correas, a native of Argentina, has long been familiar with Idolo Porteno, who was bred by La Esperanza.

“He won two Grade 1s at a mile and a half on the dirt and a mile and a half on the grass,” Correas said. “He won the Pellegrini. That is the biggest race in Argentina. He has the reputation of a very talented horse, and what he has shown here is a lot of talent. I hope we can put that in the afternoons.”

Idolo Porteno has worked on a regular basis at Oaklawn since December, his latest move six furlongs in 1:17.40 last Friday, with Correas catching him galloping out a mile in 1:44. The horse eased into the drill under his exercise rider, said Correas, going his first quarter in a leisurely 28 seconds. Idolo Porteno is scheduled to work again Thursday.

“I think we mostly are pointing to the grass races, but we need to start somewhere, and he can run on dirt, too,” Correas said. “He won a Grade 1 on dirt. He can handle it, so we hope that we start here and then from here, I will talk to his owners, and we will go where we think is best for him. I think that he’s going to go longer, a mile and a quarter, a mile and a half. That’s going to be his future – the grass.”

Idolo Porteno is part of an eight-horse division that Correas, 56, has at Oaklawn, his first time having a stable in Arkansas. He also has a base in Kentucky. Correas, whose family has bred horses in Argentina since the 1870s, was a trainer in his native country for nearly a decade before coming to North America in 2001. He spent time working in Louisiana, New York, and Southern California and for six years was a private trainer for the prestigious Maryland-based Sagamore Farm.

Correas said record purses led him to try Oaklawn.

“For the meet, I brought three or four 3-year-olds, and I brought a couple of claiming horses,” he said.

And then there’s Idolo Porteno, arguably the most accomplished horse on the grounds at Oaklawn.

Noble Bird eyes Razorback

The other Grade 1 winner stabled at Oaklawn for this meet is Noble Bird, who started his season Sunday. He finished a troubled sixth in an optional $62,500 claiming race at a mile while making his first start since August. Last year, the horse won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Noble Bird had one horse beat early Sunday, rushed up to the field on his own accord, and was hung wide around both turns. He emerged from the race in good order, trainer Mark Casse said on Monday.

“He’s good,” Casse said. “Unfortunately, as talented as Noble Bird is, he is his own worst enemy. As you saw yesterday, he likes to break a little slow, takes a second to get in gear, then when he gets in gear, he wants to run over everybody. I think he may be one of the toughest horses I’ve ever had to ride.”

Casse said Noble Bird getting hung wide on both turns, coupled with his choosing to fight regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan early on, did not help matters Sunday.

“I knew he’d get a little tired after that,” Casse said. “We’re going to build on that.”

Casse said plans for Noble Bird have yet to be determined, but he will be considered for the Grade 3, $350,000 Razorback Handicap on March 19 at Oaklawn.

“It’s something we’ll definitely look at,” Casse said. “It depends on how he trains. I haven’t lost any faith in him.”