Porteno' Heads Latinoamericano

G1 Carlos Pellegrini hero Idolo Porteno (Arg) (Jump Start) heads a strong Argentine delegation and an international field of 13 bidding for glory in the G1 Longines Gran Premio Asociacion Latinoamericano de Jockey Clubes e Hipodromos, South America's most prominent weight-for-age event, Saturday. 

This year's 31st renewal of the Latinoamericano, which will be run at 2100 meters on the dirt, marks the second time it will be staged at Hipodromo Argentino de Palermo in Buenos Aires. The race is reserved for horses 3-years-old and older who are nominated by the nation and track members of the Asociacion Latinoamericana de Jockey Clubes. 
Idolo Porteno, the top local hopeful, reappears for the first time since winning South America's prestigious Carlos Pellegrini on turf at San Isidro in December, and seeks his third straight Group 1 triumph after also previously annexing the G1 Gran Premio Dardo Rocha on dirt at Hipodromo La Plata in November. His trainer, Alfredo Gaitan Dassie, will bid for his first victory in the multinational Group 1 after prior failed attempts with Sebaorg (Arg) (Candy Stripes {Arg}) in 1996 at La Gavea in Rio de Janeiro and with Send inthe Clowns (Brz) (Know Heights {Ire}) in 2011 at San Isidro. Legendary jockey Jorge Ricardo has a return assignment on Idolo Porteno, who will break from post five. 

Argentina's supporting cast is completed by dual Group 1 winner Don't Worry (Arg) (Sultry Song); multiple group stakes winner Papa Inc (Arg) (Include); 3-year-old Interdetto (Arg) (Roman Ruler), runner-up in the G1 Polla de Potrillos (Argentine 2000 Guineas) and G1 Nacional (Argentine Derby); and likely pacesetter Blood Money (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}). Argentina is responsible for six of the 30 winners to date. 

Chilean Thoroughbreds, eight-time winners of the race–including three of the last five renewals–will be represented by 3-year-old filly Furia Cruzada (Chi) (Newfoundland), heroine of last year's G1 Clasico Alberto Solari Magnasco; G1 Gran Criterium hero Sono Bianco Nero (Chi) (Seeking the Dia) and the Group 1-placed 3-year-old colt Katmai (Chi) (Scat Daddy).