Tonight’s participants screened

With Tabacco they drew the winner of July. Selva is Selva, and they always have their own strategy. They chose debutant Andrea Sanna to ride the most experienced horse. It would not be the first time that they win with a debutant, in 1978 it was Bastiano, in 2003 Sgaibarre.

Istrice’s enthusiasm when they drew Viso D’Angelo was enormous. Tittia followed his horse and that makes this couple top favorite. Is Viso D’Angeli’s engine big enough because after his promising debut in July 22 we have not seen him as a protagonist anymore. Istrice is hungry, is a big district with a lot of money… Curious if all the ingredients are there to win again after 15 years.

Veranu was second in July with Oca and Tittia. The horse seemed to be coming up short then. Has it improved in the last month and is the form better or had it already reached the full potential. Scompiglio chooses again for a contrada with the rival on the Piazza. A good start will be necessary.

Ares Elce is considered by experts to be the fastest horse. Brigante has won twice in a row and that could now become 3. Huge chance for him to profile himself as the challenger for the coming years of Tittia.

Civetta has paired Zenis with Bellocchio again. This tandem rode a very creditable Palio for Bruco last August. Has the horse made progress since then, as experts dare to say? And will Bellocchio follow up with a good performance after the disappointing Palio in July?

Zentiles is a much-discussed horse that now gets his chance. Turbine gets another chance and will have to seize it. He is a good starter who always gets off to a good start during the Prove, but when it matters, the Palio itself, he has rarely succeeded…

Nicchio is a big district and in the draw the one who has waited the longest for a new victory (since 1998). With Brivido Sardo they have drawn a horse that rode a solid Palio for Bruco in July, defended his place well and seemed to get closer at the end. What if Tamurè starts well? Or is the first task to stop rival Valdimontone?

Lupa chooses Velluto, a fantino who debuted in 2000, but has not appeared on the Piazza since 2017. The first and only task is to stop rival Istrice with debutant Benitos. If that succeeds, the Palio will have been successful. The question is how far Velluto is willing to go to achieve this goal?

Chiocciola won 2 palios between 1982 and today (1982 and 1999). The hunger is enormous, there is a huge budget but they might have hoped for another horse than debutant Comancio. Gingillo comes back from suspension and wants to prove himself. Are they the dark horse of this Palio?

For Onda, everything is allowed and nothing is required after the victory in July. They have a debuting horse with Canarinu and choose Grandine, a boy from the entourage of Tittia. Winning a cappotto (=2x in one year) would be the surprise of this Palio!