Polanco might have yet another star from Argentina
The Argentine imports Blue Stripe and Irideo highlighted trainer Marcelo Polanco’s 2022 season, combining to win three stakes in Southern California.
Another high-class runner from South America is scheduled to join Polanco’s stable this spring. The 5-year-old horse Santo Dios is in light training in Ocala, Fla., and could start at Del Mar this summer, Polanco said.
Santo Dios races for Jose Cerillo’s Pozo de Luna, and was second in the Group 1 Anchorena Stakes at a mile on turf in Argentina in December in his final start in that country.
Blue Stripe won two stakes in Southern California last year – the Grade 2 Santa Margarita Stakes at Santa Anita and Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar – before she finished second by a nose at 24-1 in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland last November.
Blue Stripe, by Equal Stripes, was purchased for $4 million by Narvick International at auction in Kentucky the day after the BC Distaff.
Irideo starts in Saturday’s Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita following a close fourth in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at a mile on turf on Feb. 4. Irideo won the restricted Wickerr Stakes at Del Mar last summer, closing from 10th of 11 to record a 31-1 upset.
Irideo won the 2020 Anchorena Stakes in his final start in Argentina.
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