Marco Pérez's surprising grand opening with a good run from La Ventana in Santander

The Puerto de San Lorenzo-La Ventana del Puerto bullfight was a great one, with notable bulls that would have deserved a truly triumphant afternoon. Marco's grand entrance was less so. A good bullfight that was mostly made up of bulls from the supposed second brand, which is perhaps a lot to assume at this point. A five-to-one bullfight. This was striking, because it was unusual. Also the exaggerated difference in weight: 108 kilos separated the lightest (491 kilos) and the heaviest (599 kilos). Some were above the trapío of Santander, others below. The inequality formed a ladder-like format that settled in its second half . Which produced the most notable bulls. Like those fought in fourth and fifth place, the most well-built and balanced of the trapío. And a couple of them were a step below in their rating. And two were certainly poor. Emilio de Justo provided the breed and the truth ; Alejandro Talavante, the special effects; and Marco Pérez, in the end, the force of novelty.

At 7:18 p.m., Emilio de Justo emerged with the sword with a 599-kilo torancanazo that had never been delivered with the muleta, so brutal. He wasn't even focused at the moment of the volapié. De Justo threw himself with the righteousness of a vela, with the honesty that had marked the performance. The goring occurred with the violence, strength, and height inherent to the beast. The bullfighter fell very awkwardly between the horns and hooves , having already buried his sword. A ghost of his neck injury suddenly appeared like a chill in his bones and the voices of the spectators. This was even more so when EdJ stood up and clutched his head. Blood began to trickle down his forehead, and the fright, although it may seem contradictory, began to diminish. A gash from a hoof thrust seemed like a lesser evil. The emotional moment turned into a spasm in the stands, with the crowd on their feet, amidst admiring shouts, as the bull doubled over, toward the man who had brought him down. The handkerchief was untied, and the ear fell in a fair fight. The performance had been of a subtle, and not so subtle, danger, with the bull from La Ventana del Puerto overcoming itself tremendously, going all out, always strong, and, as I said, without commitment. He also raked in the chest passes with a murderous spring. It was all very meritorious. From the moment he came out, he was hitting his chest. A real treat.

At 7:50 p.m., Marco Pérez was awarded a small ear, not only as a contrast to the award given to Emilio de Justo, but in itself. The difference was already marked by the appearance of the animals that each one had dispatched, from something terrifying to something inane. He was reemerging from the hip fracture he suffered in Alicante and possibly the memory of his breed on the epic afternoon of the 2024 Santiago Fair as a novillero. There was little dissimilarity with the nonexistent seriousness of the face of the only bullfighter from Puerto de San Lorenzo, so thick-skinned. He moved with abandon, lacking style, more overwhelming than straightforward, avoiding frankness, in an equally lively performance. Outside resources were everywhere to find the bull. He buried a sword thrust and was awarded a trophy.

At 8:13 p.m., it was confirmed that Alejandro Talavante had drawn the afternoon's lot, once, redundantly, both named Inspector were placed in the lot. One was good, and the other was even better, having been fought in fourth place. I've long since come to the conclusion that Talavante no longer seeks bullfighting, but rather results. And it certainly works for him. One only had to contemplate how the arena looked when he buried his sword—extended and rearward—and with what thunderous force the two ears were demanded, while the president left only one. He was given a fabulous scolding. AT hadn't even finished the first series of very light natural passes before he was already getting entangled in trifles and fireworks. From the beginning, on his knees, he had the plaza in his grasp. Inspector had a good embroque and was very loose. He gradually shifted the work toward the bullpens , with a greater emphasis on the series of right-handed passes ; In the last one, with his left hand, on the way there, the bull felt the break in his bravery and darted through the open window, breaking loose. He would continue charging at the same pigpen gate amidst muletazos in favor of the work and the pyrotechnic Bernardinas.

A treatise could also have been written about the gaps in Alejandro Talavante's bullfighting style with his manageable first bull: his way of citing is a song. That noble quality without the excellence of rhythm, more generous on the right, served his neo-tauromachy well. And, after a contrary thrust and a slow death, it came to nothing.

When Emilio de Justo received the final ovation for his fervent afternoon at 8:45 p.m., he breathed a sigh of relief. He took another tumble, putting the fifth bull on the horse, a significant bull. And that, with a seven-centimeter gap in the head, hurts even more. Aclarado's bravery also displayed his spark and his wit, and from that, everything EdJ produced carried an emotional weight of authenticity. It was a shame that a deep puncture left the prize behind.

At 9:05 p.m., Marco Pérez earned an ear, which meant the main entrance, thanks to the kindness of a sixth bull that also served its purpose. The award was surprising, following a puncture and a stab from the neck. Talavante looked at the box in disbelief. The bull had charged with the gait of the first of the afternoon, easy and good, without breaking any boundaries. And Marco was more settled, let's say.