Aujourd'hui, nous allons discuter des grandes courses de ce week-end en France. Le Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe est l'une des courses les plus importantes au monde et se déroulera dimanche à Longchamp…the author now shifts effortlessly into the English language for the benefit of many of his readers…In the Arc, Sea the Stars will be an overwhelming favorite to add this most prestigious race to his effulgent string of accomplishments. The 3-year-old son of Cape Cross out of the amazing mare Urban Sea, is 5 for 5 this year and each of his wins was in Group 1 company. This indubitably will be Sea the Stars’ sternest test yet, though as he travels to France for the first time to take on an international field of worthy candidates. Sea the Stars has proven to be a true champion and is certainly the horse to beat, however this particular racing blogger believes that if he is to lose, Sunday may be the day. A full field of 19 horses could in itself be the downfall of the champion. He will be the horse that all the other jockeys are watching and traffic should be a major factor. If there is indeed an upset, I believe Conduit is the horse with the greatest chance to be the culprit.
Last year Conduit improved dramatically and by the Fall, he was one of the best turf horses in the world. His impressive victories in the St. Ledger and Breeders’ Cup Turf proved the now 4-year-old son of Dalakhani is built for a distance. This year his trainer Sir Michael Stoute has raced Conduit lightly, a plan designed specifically to have him peeking in October and November for his most important races. He has only contested three races in 2009, but is improving with each start. Sea the Stars thrashed him two starts ago, but that was a few furlongs shorter than Conduit prefers. In his last start, he delivered a strong stretch run to win the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Stoute is having another huge year and is very keen on his charges form. Conduit is my pick and will also be a legitimate threat in five weeks to defend his BC Turf title.
On an Arc side note, I will rooting for the English mare Dar Re Mi to run a big race after a horrific decision was rendered by the French stewards to take her down last time in the Prix Vermeille and put up the French heroine Stacelita. It would be fitting if she had the last laugh in France’s most important race.
The weekend kicks off at Longchamp with an appearance by the unquestioned top miler in the world, Goldikova. The 4-year-old daughter of Anabaa is ready to show off her brilliant turn of foot in the 7 furlong Prix de la Foret. This is a distance unfamiliar to Goldikova, but it likely will be no problem for the brilliant mare to shorten up, as she looks for her fourth straight win and her eighth in nine starts. This race should prime Goldikova’s speed well for a raid of California as she seeks back to back wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Also on Saturday, my almost pari-mutual hero, Stotsfold runs his first race since the Arlington Million. He runs in the Group 2 Prix Dollar, and my main interest in the race is to see how the horse, who almost brought me beaucoup wagering dollars, does in his next start. In the Million, he was long odds and I had him along with Gio Ponti boxed in the top two spots on my superfecta ticket. Early in the stretch, it was a matter of 1st or 2nd, 50 yards from the wire, I was begging for him to hold 2nd. At the wire, he was nailed by the classy Just as Well for 2nd. No large superfecta for yours truly. C’est la vie! |
1 comments:
Nice overview. Coduit is a big threat, and i to will be rooting for Dar Re Mi. She was robbed last out. I watched that race dozens of times, and there is no foul anywhere.
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