We
are well over the halfway point this year and there are major graded
events around the world that will determine the pecking order for 2007
in various categories.
Another chapter was written in the story, "the best horse in the world."
The scene was Deauville, outside Paris, and the French racing summer
headquarters. On Sunday, in the Grade I Prix Jacques le Marois, Manduro
was attempting to win over 1600 metres for the first time in his
brilliant career. Six ran and Toylsome, Manduro's stablemate set a
steady gallop up front. The entry was the 8-10 betting choice. Manduro
tracked Toylsome and stormed to the front with 300 metres to go and went
on to win by three lengths in 1 37.4. Andre Fabre, France's perennial
champion trainer, saddled the winner. Stepehen Pasquier was the winning
jockey. The winner's share of the purse was 231,650 pounds.
Lawman, the French Derby hero at Chantilly in June, finished last. "I
cannot explain why he did so poorly," a puzzled Olivier Peslier,
Lawman's rider, said.
Stormy River ran below par and failed to threaten.
Manduro has now won four in a row and three Group I events in
succession. He needs to be supplemented to the Arc in October. Andre
Fabre confirmed that before the Arc, Manduro will go in the 12-furlong
Prix Foy at Longchamp in September. "There is no question mark over his
stamina. Breeders' Cup Classic is a definite option, Fabre said.
Stephen Pasquier was unstinting in his comments. "He (Manduro) is the
best horse in the world. Manduro can run over all distances and at all
'paces.' He is out of the ordinary and has brilliant acceleration."
Stephen Pasquier, however, may not partner Manduro in the Arc (on Oct 7
at Longchamp) if Zambezi Sun, owned by Khalid Abdullah, also goes in the
Arc. After a luckless trip in the French Derby, Zambezi Sun was an easy
winner in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris next time out. He now awaits
his engagement in the Prix Niel, the traditional Arc prep. Rail Link,
the 2006 Arc winner owned by Khalid Abdullah, took the same route.
Pasquier has a contractual commitment to Khalid Abudullah. With
Authorized in the fray, a mouth-watering race is in prospect in France's
showpiece. With the International Rugby tournament slated in Paris
during that time, Paris will be rocking in early October. I will spend
four days in Paris in October and you can bet I will keep you posted on
the Arc happenings. It is an annual ritual that has become an integral
part of my 'racing existence.'
On Sunday in Cologne, a track in Germsny, five horses answered the
starter's call in the Group I Rhienland-Pokal over 2400 metres. The race
was won by Saddex, the 13-10 second choice. Saddex, an English-bred, was
ridden by T.Mundry and trained by Peter Rau. The winning margin was 1
3/4 lengths and the time was 2.30.70. The winning purse was 67,570
pounds.
Laverock, owned by the Godolphins and the 12-10 favorite, set the pace
with Frankie Dettori and had no answer when Saddex came calling about
1000 metres out. Laverock, once passed, retreated to finish fourth.
Saddex,s trainer, Peter Rau said that his ward is a prospect for the Arc
and there's more to come in the future races.
At the Curragh in Dublin on Sunday, the Group I Phoenix Stakes over 1200
metres, the first graded race for juveniles in 2007 in Ireland, was
contested. Six freshmen went postward and the 25-1 Saorise Abu beat the
heavily fancied Henrythenavigator. Saorise Abu, a Mr Greeley filly, was
a disappointment on June 29 at the Curragh when I was there. She beat
the boys in the Phoenix Stakes, She won by a length on a soft to heavy
track. Jim Bolger is the trainer and the winning jockey is Kevin
Manning. Saorise Abu earned 122,027 pounds.
At Del Mar on Sunday, the Grade II Best Pal Stakes over 1300 metres was
won by Salute The Falg. The 13-10 second choice, Salute The Flag beat
the 9-10 favorite, Georgie Boy. Four ran and the winning margin was a
length in a time of 1 19.43. The winner's share was 90,000 dollars.
Merv Griffin, a TV icon and a prominent horse owner, passed away on
Sunday. Mr Griffin owned Stevie Wonderboy, the 2005 Breeders' Cup
Juvenile champion. He produced the popular TV game shows, Jeopardy and
Wheel of Fortune.
End of Sunday, in the jockeys' race for the leader in the world, the
Brazilian, Jorge Ricardo had 9,810 winners. Russell Baze, the American
rider, had 9,807 winners. They have put separation between themselves
and Laffitt Pincay's 9,530 victories.
Sources:Racing Post and NTRA.
