Fixing the Santander bullring in the early morning while waiting for Morante

We said during the bullfight on horseback that the new surface of Cuatro Caminos looked very loose, and we emphasized yesterday's bullfight on foot, where the sand, no longer black, resembled a beach. "The stands were nostalgic for not seeing the black sand, the hallmark of this bullring, before their eyes. It's the color of a beach now. And it looked like a beach at times: don't be surprised if Morante asks to bring out the yellow Burgos tractor . Some assistants even took off their shoes, and the bulls, despite some being short on power, showed their state with more than one slip in a bullfight that went on forever," we began the report.

Santander, the great northern fairground created by José María Garzón, has lost some of its personality without its chocolate sand, as the dust extracted from the Reocín mining quarry, which has closed, was barely left. City Hall began a process to select a new one (among them, the same one used in Bilbao) and finally settled on the sand from the Áridos Antolín company in Dueñas (Palencia). "It's pebble sand, like the kind found on riverbanks," the company's manager told 'El Diario Montañés'.

And that sand is what now covers the 51-meter diameter of the ring, which looks too loose. That's why, from Lances de Futuro—although they have nothing to do with the new bullring—with the developer on the front lines until four in the morning, they have been working with shovels and rollers to compact it. They know that the good condition of the ring is essential for all the professionals (and also for the cattle). Even more so when tomorrow comes the lineup that sold out the first tickets: Morante de la Puebla—so devoted to bullrings that he'll grab the hose (Alicante) or ask to bring out a tractor (El Plantío)—and Juan Ortega, head to head. It will be the first of three "No Tickets" matches already posted: the duel of art will be joined by two afternoons of Roca Rey.

The Miura bullfight is being announced today, in which Damián Castaño will make his comeback after his recent goring in France. He will be accompanied by Manuel Escribano and David Galván in a bullfight televised by OneToro.