12 May 2020
Photo 2019 Texanita: scoopdyga.com
The Prix Texanita (Gr3), headlining Wednesday's meeting, on May 13th in Chantilly, is a tribute to one of the rare double winners of the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (Gr1), winner in 1963 and 1964 (at 2 and 3) for trainer François Mathet and breeder-owner François Dupré. Her older sister Texana had also won the race at 2 in 1957. This race was created in 2013 and brings together 3-year-olds over the distance of 5.5 furlongs on the straight course. Funnily enough, only four trainers saddled the seven winners of the Texanita, namely Didier Guillemin (Alistair in 2018 and Ilanga in 2019), Freddy Head (Mazameer in 2013 and Aladdine in 2017), Henri-Alex Pantall (Rangali in 2014 and Goken in 2015), and Matthieu Palussière (Ross Castle in 2016).
They are thirteen at the start this year and the lot seems very consistent, as will be confirmed by the detailed presentation of the runners below…
1. Wooded (c3, IRE by Wootton Bassett and Frida La Blonde, by Elusive City) Rating: 106lbs
Purchased € 90,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, he started with a second place in Dieppe in July at 2, beaten by a short neck, and won straight afterwards over 7 furlongs in Deauville. Then placed in the La Rochette (Gr3) and the Thomas Bryon (Gr3), he makes his comeback here.
2. Xaaros (c3, FRA by Kendargent and Xaarinba, by Aussie Rules) Rating: 89lbs
He was sold for € 42,000 at the La Teste yearling sales to his trainer, who is now partnered by the colt's breeder. Second for his debut in Bordeaux, as early as May, he then won in a hot race at Maisons-Laffitte but was beaten quite clearly twice thereafter. He won this winter at Cagnes on the all-weather track, then finished fourth in early March in Toulouse. He is shortened here.
3. Mutual (g3, FRA by Lope de Vega and Tautou Montjeu, by Montjeu) Rating: 95lbs
Sold € 80,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, beaten for his debut in June at Saint-Cloud by a well-rated colt, he won at La Teste after that, then in Toulouse for his return this year, beating Xaaros, whom he finds here.
4. Alocasia (f3, GB by Kingman and Portodora, by Kingmambo) Rating: 100lbs
Bred by her owner, she ran twice before winning her first race in late June 2019, then was beaten by Tropbeau, one of the best juvenile fillies in Europe last year, for her first stakes test, in the Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing (Gr3). However, two months later, she won a Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte, where she then failed over 6 furlongs in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2).
5. Bavaria Baby (f3, FRA by Dabirsim and Baiadera, by Tertullian) Rating: 96lbs
She did not find a buyer for € 16,000 at the Deauville yearling sales and was beaten in each of her first four outings before winning in September for her handicap debut. Twice second in a Listed on heavy ground afterwards, she again tried her luck at this level for her comeback, finishing fifth behind Wanaway, Abama and My Love’s Passion, whom she finds again here.
6. Porcelaine (f3, IRE by Kodiac and Heck, by Pivotal) Rating: -
Sister to a French 1,000 Guineas winner, she runs for her breeders and won her debut in February on the all-weather at Chantilly, and over one mile, before finishing fourth, on sand again at Chantilly but over 6.5 furlongs.
7. Minuty (f3, FRA by Charm Spirit and Galaxidi, by High Chaparral) Rating: 94lbs
Bred by her owner and trainer, she ran twice last summer in Deauville over 7 and 7.5 furlongs before winning for the first time, at Chantilly over 6 furlongs. She then had to settle for fourth place in the Listed won by Alocasia, who runs here, but did not have the right trip that day.
8. Lindy Lou (f3, FRA by Sidestep and Happy Way, by Kingsalsa) Rating: 93lbs
She ran twelve times but won on her third outing, over 6 furlongs at Strasbourg. She then failed at Listed level, notably behind Abama, but she did better wintering on the Deauville all-weather track, where she finished twice second. Third very close in the Prix de la Californie (L) at Cagnes-sur-Mer, she confirmed with a good fourth place behind the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3) promising 5th, Quiet Times, who has shown some potential.
9. Ammobaby (f3, FRA by Planteur and Monte di Legno, by Sinndar) Rating: 80lbs
Purchased € 7,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, she has run thirteen times since then and has often finished in the top five, against future champions of the young brigade. She narrowly won in January on the Chantilly all-weather then finished fourth. It is a bit of a spell she's coming out from now.
10. Gratiane (f3, FRA by Milanais and Gymnote, by Cardoun) Rating: 75lbs
She has run six times including three claimers but has not left her initial connections. A consistent filly, she was placed on practically all her races but has not yet managed to win.
11. Wanaway (f3, FRA by Galiway and Matwan, by Indian Rocket) Rating: 99lbs
Twice fourth in her first three outings, she finally won her first race by five lengths in a claimer and was claimed back by her breeder-owner who had to put up a hefty €40,000 to keep her. Twice fourth again then in a Group 3 and a Listed, she won for her return to this course in a Listed, beating Abama and My Love’s Passion, who face her again. Her brother Batwan won the Prix de Saint-Georges (Gr3), over 5 furlongs, Monday at ParisLongchamp.
12. Abama (f3, FRA by Alhebayeb and Iffraja, by Iffraaj) Rating: 96lbs
Purchased € 55,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, she could not win twice over 7 furlongs to start with but won two consecutive races over 6 furlongs after that. Well beaten then in the Prix Eclipse (Gr3), she nevertheless returned to win a third time, in a Listed race, late in October at Deauville, beating Bavaria Baby by a neck, and she has just been beaten by one length by Wanaway, beating My Love's Passion and Bavaria Baby.
13. My Love’s Passion (f3, FRA by Elvstroem and Amber Two (Cadeaux Genereux) Rating: 104lbs
Bought for € 10,000 at the Deauville yearlings sale to her trainer, she now races for a syndicate who must enjoy her a lot since she finished in the top three in each of her five races to date, notably in the Darley Prix Robert Papin (Gr2). Out from July to March, she finished third to Wanaway and Abama on her comeback.