10 May 2020
Photo Victor Ludorum : scoopdyga.com
The Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) is the traditional stepping stone leading to The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1). The classic program has been affected by the Covid19 lockdown. Both these races take place one month late, but as usual the Fontainebleau is run three weeks before the first classic of the season, also over one mile.
The prize money of the race has been reduced by 30% (from a standard Group 3 prize money of € 80,000 to € 56,000) like all Listed events, Group 2 and 3 races, as France Galop resumes racing without a full-scale betting network in operation.
However, some of the best hopes of the season are well in, starting with the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) winner, Victor Ludorum (Shamardal), who returns against seven opponents, none of whom, unlike him, is still undefeated …
1. The Summit (c3, FRA by Wootton Bassett and Acola, by Acatenango) Rating: 105lbs
Bought as a yearling in Deauville for € 16,000, he won for the first time on his second outing, at Lyon-Parilly over the mile. Third in the Prix de Condé (Gr3) afterwards, he finished fifth in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) to end his season. Here he finds Pisanello, who beat him by a head in Saint-Cloud in the Prix Omnium II (L), in March.
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).
2. Memory Dream (g3, FRA by Motivator and Ascot Memory, by Iffraaj) Rating: 98lbs
Bred by his owner, and the only gelding at the start, he won his first two races this winter at the Cagnes-sur-Mer meeting, then finished fourth, behind Pisanello and The Summit, whom he meets again here. He doesn't hold any Group 1 entry.
3. Victor Ludorum (c3, GB by Shamardal and Antiquities, by Kaldounevees) Rating: 114lbs
Bred by his owner, he easily won his first two races at ParisLongchamp then Chantilly before confirming brilliantly in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) on this same course and distance. Victor Ludorum is the fifth foal out of Antiquities (Kaldounevees), a mare also bred by Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum and trained by André Fabre, second in the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3) on her second outing.
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1), the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
4. Pisanello (c3, IRE by Raven’s Pass and Painting, by Peintre Célèbre) Rating: 106lbs
Pulled up early for his debut, his rider fearing an injury, he did not reappear until three months later and won what would be his only complete race of the year. Back this season in Saint-Cloud for the Prix Omnium II (L), he won bravely.
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).
5. Kenway (c3, FRA by Galiway and Kendam, by Kendargent) Rating: 105lbs
Sold € 56,000 as a yearling at the Deauville sales, he is the most seasoned colts in the race since he has run eight times, seven at 2, winning three times in the process. Winner of the Prix des Jouvenceaux et Jouvencelles (L) at Vichy, then of the Prix La Rochette (Gr3) at ParisLongchamp, he, however, failed in the Lagardère and then again for his return in the Prix Omnium II (L).
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).
6. Helter Skelter (c3, FRA by Wootton Bassett and Winna Chope, by Soave) Rating: 109lbs
Bought € 30,000 as a yearling at the La Teste sales, he started with a fourth place at La Teste over 6 furlongs in May but won by three lengths and half a month later at ParisLongchamp over 7 furlongs. Shortly beaten then in a Listed event on the same course, he won at Deauville in August the EBF Criterium (L) and later finish fifth, having a bad trip, in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1).
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).
7. Devil (c3, IRE by Siyouni and Burma Sea, by Lope de Vega) Rating: 109lbs
Bred by his owners, he won for his debut in the Prix de Tancarville at Deauville but then failed in the Darley Prix Morny (Gr1). A month later, however, he redeemed himself in the Prix Eclipse (Gr3) over 6 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte, where he once again took a second place in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2).
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1).
8. Écrivain (m3, FRA by Lope de Vega and Sapphire Pendant, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 110lbs
Bred by his owners, he won twice over the mile at Deauville for his debut, then in the Prix des Chênes (Gr3) at ParisLongchamp, before taking fourth place in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1 ), his last appearance to date.
He's entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).