Lutèce : A new adventure

The 15 furlongs of the Prix de Lutèce (Gr3), a 3-year-old race held on Thursday at ParisLongchamp, is a test over the long distance before the stayers' meetings of the Autumn, and sometimes after having contemplated a tilt at the classics, like Ketil (Karakontie) or Measure of Time (Gleneagles), for example, as both were entered in the Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris.

They are seven confirmed at the start this year trying to take over from Moonlight Spirit, who finished second subsequently in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr2).

• 1. KALIFORNIA QUEEN (f3, GER by Lope de Vega and Kaldera, by Sinndar) Rating: 101lbs

Trained in Germany by Henk Grewe, bought € 70,000 at the Baden-Baden yearling sales, she won a preparatory Group 2 for the German Oaks in June, which earns her a penalty of 5 pounds here, even though she finished fifth in the German fillies classic. So she's trying a longer distance now in a difficult situation, but her stamina shouldn't be a problem. She is entered in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1), contested over 14f in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend.

• 2. BLACKWOOD (c3, FRA by Manduro and Diamond Fever, by Fasliyev) Rating: 93lbs

Trained in Anjou by Joël Boisnard, bred by his owner, he won for his debut last June at Machecoul, he won again in July at Sables-d'Olonne after failing at Saint-Cloud for his only outing on a Parisian racecourse, in a class 1 race. Fifth out of six at Deauville over 14f in the Prix Michel Houyvet (L) won by Measure of Time, he was well beaten recently over this distance.

• 3. STEP BY STEP (c3, FRA by Sidestep and Anavera, by Acatenango) Rating: 106lbs

Trained in Deauville by Yann Barberot, sold € 28,000 at the breeze-up sales in Deauville, he has won three times this year in five outings. He won the Derby du Languedoc (L) in June in Toulouse over 1m4f, but then finished last in the Prix Michel Houyvet (L) won by Measure of Time after almost two months out.

He is entered in the Qatar Prix de Chaudenay (Gr2).

• 4. KETIL (c3, USA by Karakontie and Matroshka, by Red Ransom) Rating: 109lbs

Trained at Chantilly by Pascal Bary, bred by his owner, he was impressive for his victorious debut over one mile at 2, then disappointing in a Listed race, and ended his season by winning over the Deauville all-weather in a race Class 2. Highly anticipated for his return this year, at Chantilly, he could not do anything against Hurricane Dream, who was still undefeated at the start of the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and failed there. Second in the Prix du Lys for his debut over 1m4f, he swooped down to finish on the winner Volkan Star that day, and then took his revenge in the Prix Hocquart Longines (Gr2), but had once again to settle for the 2nd place behind Port Guillaume.

He is entered in the Qatar Prix de Chaudenay (Gr2).

• 5. SLOGAN (c3, GER by Adlerflug and Starla Dancer, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 100lbs

Trained in Germany by Markus Klug, bred by his owners, he beat Kalifornia Queen this summer in a prep race for the German Derby but then had to settle for fourth in the 10f Prix Pelleas (L) in Compiègne, however showing an eye-catching tenacity that day. He should like this trip.

He is entered in the Qatar Prix de Chaudenay (Gr2).

• 6. MEASURE OF TIME (c3, IRE by Gleneagles and Inch Perfect, by Theatrical) Rating: 104lbs

Trained at Chantilly by André Fabre, bought as a weanling for £ 80,000 in England, he won his first two outings, at 2 and then at 3, before being beaten by Ketil in the Prix Hocquart Longines (Gr2), but not without a fight. He then returned to victory over 14f in the Prix Michel Houyvet (L) with a good run.

He is entered in the Qatar Prix de Chaudenay (Gr2).

• 7. PAIX (f3, IRE by Muhaarar and Pacifique, by Montjeu) Rating: 105lbs

Trained in Chantilly by Francis-Henri Graffard, sold for €250,000 at the Deauville sales, she is out of the winner of the 2011 edition of this race. She won for the first time in her third outing, in July over 1m4f at Clairefontaine, but immediately confirmed over the same distance in the Prix Frédéric de Lagrange (L), the Vichy Derby facing the colts. Third recently in the Prix Minerve (Gr3), Deauville's Oaks, she nevertheless won in "her" group in the middle of the course that day and must still be able to improve. She is entered in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1).