3 July 2020
Photo Prix Jockey Club 2018 : scoopdyga.com
This year more than ever, the path that led the 17 runners to the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) was winding and sometimes difficult to trace. With thwarted preparations, deferred or amended returns, the "classic" routes became more hazardous.
Two colts are still undefeated here, Port Guillaume (Le Havre) and Hurricane Dream (Hurricane Cat), but almost all the other runners show different profiles. The winner of the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1), Victor Ludorum (Shamardal), like his second The Summit (Wootton Bassett) are the big question marks because none has ever tried to run over more than one mile. What are the raiders worth? Is Atlantic Ocean (American Pharoah), who cost more than a million at the sales, is it a true champion? Out for two months but impressive for his only race this season, will Pao Alto (Intello) be able to give the best of himself so "soon"?
All these questions will be answered on Sunday, and it is just about time!
- 1. DAWN INTELLO (c3, FRA by Intello ex Gadalka, by Giant’s Causeway) Rating: 95lbs
Bought for €57,000 at Arqana yearlings’ sales, he won his debut last season. 3rd to Port Guillaume and Gold Trip for his comeback this season at Saint-Cloud, he won easily afterwards et and wasn’t too lucky last time out on this very course and distance, when 4th at 5.5 lengths behind the winner Hurricane Dream.
- 2. FANTASTIC SPIRIT (c3, FRA by Charm Spirit ex Fantastic Cuix, by Fantastic Light) Rating: 95lbs
Sold € 50,000 at the May 2019 Arqana breeze-up sale, he ran twice in the Provinces at 2 but couldn’t win then but scored first time out this term at Cagnes-sur-Mer in January. Winner of the Prix Policeman over the all-weather after that, he won the Derby du Midi (L) for his comeback, three months later, and not by much.
- 3. GOLD TRIP (c3, FRA by Outstrip ex Sarvana, by Dubai Destination) Rating: 105lbs
He is still a maiden after three outings, two of which resulted in a second place, for his debut in October in Deauville and behind Port Guillaume for his return in 2020, over 10.5 furlongs at Saint-Cloud. He was much more convincing when scoring in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr2) at Lyon-Parilly last time out over a similar distance.
- 4. CHACHNAK (c3, FRA by Kingman ex Tamazirte, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 104lbs
His dam finished second in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas, Gr1) and the Prix de Diane (French Oaks, Gr1), and he started his own career with a maiden win at Vichy, confirmed in a Class 1 race. Sixth in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1), then in a Marseilles Listed, he finished third for his return and in the Prix La Force (Gr3), three lengths behind Pao Alto and Océan Atlantique, but won a heated Prix de Guiche (Gr3) after that over 9 furlongs.
- 5. MISHRIFF (c3, IRE by Make Believe ex Contradict, by Raven’s Pass) Rating: 109lbs
Trained in England, twice beaten at 2 over 7 and 8 furlongs, he finally won by 10 lengths over 8.5f and only ran on heavy ground at 2. Second in the Saudi Derby in February, he then beat by 4 lengths a colt who later won a Listed and runs in the Epsom Derby on Saturday!
- 6. VICTOR LUDORUM (c3, GB by Shamardal ex Antiquities, by Kaldounevees) Rating: 116lbs
Bred by his owner, he won easily his first two races at ParisLongchamp then Chantilly before confirming brilliantly in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1). Heavily favoured in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) for his comeback, he tracked the leaders on outside, was ridden under 2 out, chased the clear leader but lost the 2nd place to Ecrivain in the last 50 yards. His connections argue that he was a bit rusty and that he should have improved a lot on that, which he did when he landed the French 2,000 Guineas in fine style last time out.
- 7. SAN FABRIZIO (c3, FRA by Siyouni ex Ponte Sanangelo, by Authorized) Rating: 91lbs
Unsold at € 55,000 at the Deauville sales, he finished 4th for his debut in August at Deauville in a hot beginners’ race, and then finished 3rd at 3.5 lengths of the best 2yo colt in France, Victor Ludorum. He won all the way for his return at Lyon-Parilly and was very unlucky in the Prix de Guiche (Gr3). He will be partnered for the first time by Christophe Soumillon.
- 8. PISANELLO (c3, IRE by Raven’s Pass ex Painting, by Peintre Célèbre) Rating: 101lbs
He won at 2 and for his seasonal return in the Prix Omnium II (L), leading all the way to repel every challenge. He was also part of the leading group in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) afterwards but couldn’t keep up in the last furlong. The same happened in the Prix de Guiche (Gr3) over 9 furlongs and he will be fitted with cheekpieces this time.
- 9. CELTIC ART (c3, FRA by Mastercraftsman ex Irish Song, by Singspiel) Rating: 101lbs
Non-runner
- 10. THE SUMMIT (c3, FRA by Wootton Bassett ex Acola, by Acatenango) Rating: 112lbs
Purchased at the Deauville yearling sales for € 16,000, he won for the first time on its second outing, in Lyon-Parilly over one mile. Third in the Prix de Condé (Gr3) in the process, he finished fifth in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) to end his first season. He was beaten by a head only for his return to Saint-Cloud in the Prix Omnium II (L) before winning the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), preparatory to this Poule d'Essai (Gr1), where he finished a good second to Victor Ludorum.
- 11. FORT MYERS (c3, USA by War Front ex Marvellous, by Galileo) Rating: 106lbs
Trained in Ireland, he ran 8 times at 2 between April and November and was placed almost every time but the last, at Santa Anita for the Breeders’Cup. 9th for his comeback in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1), his dam family is full of milers.
- 12. PORT GUILLAUME (c3, FRA by Le Havre ex Keira, by Turtle Bowl) Rating: 101lbs
Sold €55,000 at the Deauville sales, he’s unbeaten in three starts and began his series last Winter at Cagnes-sur-Mer. Last time out, he beat Gold Trip by over a length before the latter won the Prix Greffulhe (Gr2). Port Guillaume’s connections are the same than that of last year’s winner Sottsass.
- 13. OCÉAN ATLANTIQUE (c3, USA by American Pharoah ex Tare Green, by Giant’s Causeway) Rating: 107lbs
Sold €1.1m at the Arqana breeze up, he won in the Autumn for his second attempt. After. A promising comeback in the Prix la Force (Gr3) won by Pao Alto, he won the Prix de Suresnes (L) by 5 lengths and was amongst the Epsom Derby potential contenders. Practical contingencies had his connections electing to stay at home for this.
- 14. ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (c3, IRE by Australia ex Senta’s Dream, by Danehill) Rating: 104lbs
Fifth for his only race at 2, he finished 2nd to eventual Irish Derby 2nd for his comeback, and then 4th, more that 6 lengths behind Santiago in the Irish Derby, possibly affected by a lack of stamina.
- 15. HURRICANE DREAM (c3, FRA by Hurricane Cat ex Shalimara, by Siyouni) Rating: 104lbs
Bred by his principal owner, he’s unbeaten in three races and just won by over 2 lengths a competitive conditions race. One doesn’t know yet what he’s really worth.
- 16. ÉCRIVAIN (c3, FRA by Lope de Vega ex Sapphire Pendant, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 109lbs
Bred by his owners, he won twice over 1m at Deauville for his debut and then in the Prix des Chênes (Gr3) at ParisLongchamp, before finishing 4th to Victor Ludorum in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1).
He finished well in 2nd place for his comeback in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) but was overcome in the French Two Thousand Guineas, when sick, according to his trainer.
- 17. PAO ALTO (c3, FRA by Intello ex Peaceful Love, by Dashing Blade) Rating: 109lbs
Bought for €160,000 at the Deauville yearlings sales, he was beaten by a more mature teammate for their debut in Deauville, last summer, then won twice thereafter, including the Critérium de Bordeaux (L), before being declared a non-runner in the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1). An easy winner of the Prix La Force (Gr3) for his return, he goes straight from there…