Calidoscopio

Photo courtesy of Coglinese Photos

Calidoscopio: The UFO from Argentina
A little more than a year ago, Calidoscopio departed from Argentina: the white and sky blue hope for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon.

The 9-year-old horse, with six previous full racing seasons on the track in his native country, had been granted his passport to cross the Andes after scoring by two lengths at Palermo Racecourse in the Clasico Belgrano, a qualifying “Win and You’re In” event for the Marathon.

The Belgrano, held in June, represented only his third start of 2012, so he arrived fresh.

Calidoscopio had left Argentina on Aug.15, but it wasn’t until Sept. 25, a month after arriving at Mike Puype’s stable at Hollywood Park, that the son of Luhuk stepped on the racing track for his first workout ahead of the Marathon, which was inching closer and was only 36 days away.

By then the adventure seemed complicated. Logistical details had delayed the preparation of Calidoscopio. Meanwhile, he could only walk without going to the track, which was also closed for several days for maintenance. However, his groom, Adrian Torres, and exercise rider, Mario Londaitz, were not discouraged and kept the dream alive of reaching the Marathon.

A few days later his trainer, the charismatic Guillermo Frenkel Santillan, along with his assistant, Miguel Cafere, arrived from Buenos Aires. With the team already complete, clocks were tightened and a jockey was requested. Puype recommended the experienced Aaron Gryder and rehearsals began.

The afternoon of Nov. 1 arrived at Santa Anita and, true to form, Gryder let him relax and placed Calidoscopio in last, a long way behind pacesetter Jaycito. After completing the opening seven eighths of a mile, he commenced his run. Leaving the three-quarter pole, he began to advance and swung out six wide straightening into the stretch, when suddenly everything cleared and the UFO came with his sweeping stride.

“Argentina! Argentina! Argentina!” was the cry of hundreds of Argentine fans who also had crossed the Andes, not in vain. They had come to cheer one of their favorites, and Calidoscopio made his presence felt in the closing strides to accomplish an amazing feat and an achievement for his bloodlines. At nine, Calidoscopio became the oldest horse to capture a Breeders’ Cup event as well as the first victor trained in Argentina. Before Calidoscopio, Argentine-breds Bayakoa (twice 1989-’90 ), Paseana (1992) and Invasor (2006) had also left their mark with Breeders’ Cup triumphs.

Deserved celebrations of the Marathon passed and Calidoscopio remained in Puype’s care. After a failed fifth-place finish at Santa Anita, Calidoscopio would give a new show. This time, it would be in the Brooklyn Handicap in June at Belmont Park.

Calidoscopio, dropping well back from the opposition between calls and a long way back from the pace established by Percussion, ran last early in the Brooklyn, unhurried and giving a serious amount of ground. And once again, on a gray and rainy afternoon, Calidoscopio descended from the clouds and appeared as a bright UFO to pass his rivals and gain another spectacular victory.

Soon after came the announcement of his retirement to Haras La Quebrada, his birthplace. The Argentine horse found in Gryder his perfect partner and walked away from racing through the front door, taking with him a new wave of fans who savored and applauded his glory and witnessed his sweeping comet trail.

According to some analysts, the comparison between equine and human ages computes to an average ratio of about 4-to-1. That is, when Calidoscopio won the Marathon, he was about 35 or 36 years of age for a human athlete, which is no understatement. To his credit, he utilized his talent, experience and patience to become a Breeders’ Cup winner.

Pablo Falero, who was his regular pilot at Palermo, had found the right style; he knew that the horse liked to become disengaged, saving his energy before accelerating on the far turn. Aaron Gryder followed his instructions and then thanked Falero publicly.

Calidoscopio improved with age as do the best Argentinean vineyards, which dazzle the world with their quality. When he was a 4-year-old, some Australian buyers ruled out purchasing him because he had many placings but few triumphs. They did not know that the best in Calidoscopio had yet to be uncovered.