French Filly Zarkava Awesome in Arc de Triomphe

by Steve Davidowitz | Oct 9 2008

Dozens of Breeders' Cup horses prep in Kentucky, NY & Canada

A Column by Steve Davidowitz
October 9, 2008

There were important, very rich races in Kentucky, New York, California and Canada over the weekend, but none were more memorable than the stretch running victory by the 3-year-old filly Zarkava in the $5.5 million Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.

To avoid excessive superlatives, I will simply state that Zarkava turned in the most impressive turf race by any turf filly I have seen since the great French-based filly Dahlia came to America - also as a 3-year-old - to win the Washington, D.C. International in 1973.

Zarkava came from outer space, weaving her way through most of the field to suddenly accelerate in the final 200 yards past Youmzain, Soldier of Fortune, It's Gino and previously unbeaten Vision D'Etat. Too bad she won't be coming to the Breeders' Cup to risk her undefeated record. On the other hand, we might see at least one, perhaps two or even three of the horses who finished behind her in the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf and/or the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on the new Pro-Ride surface. Certainly Youmzain, who finished second in last year's Arc, or Solider of Fortune, who is lightly raced this year, or Vision D'Etat, who was only beaten 2 1/2 lengths, would be formidable threats in the Turf.

Beyond the Arc de Triomphe, which was telecast live by TVG on Sunday morning, here are my capsule impressions of intriguing performances in the other major stakes this past weekend with Breeders' Cup implications.

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Carriage Trail - 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the 9-furlong, Gr. 1 $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday, October 5th.

Carriage Trail, trained by Shug McGaughey, may be following the winning pattern of McGaughey's 2005 Breeders' Cup Distaff winner, who improved in the Spinster and then exploded to win the Breeders' Cup race that is now renamed (for no good reason I can fathom) The Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. The one demerit that somewhat neutralized Carriage Trail's track record performance and high Beyer Speed Figure was the way she drifted out badly through the stretch while under no pressure at all to hold her significant margin of victory.

Marsh Side - 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/2-mile, Gr. 1 $2 million Canadian International on the turf at Woodbine on Saturday, October 4th.

Marsh Side improved suddenly to win this event for trainer Neil Drysdale at 29-1. While he will go to the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf, it is doubtful that he will be able to handle any of the top finishers from the Arc, should any actually ship to California. Moreover, the course was wet and playing about two seconds slow, which will contrast strongly with the billiard table-like turf course at Santa Anita over which the five Breeders' Cup turf races will be run on October 24th and 25th.

Thorn Song - 105 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gr. 1 $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland on Saturday, October 4th.

Thorn Song, a frequent pace setter who had not won many graded stakes, used his front running speed to great advantage to lead virtually throughout to win the Turf Mile. At the very least his presence in the Breeders' Cup Mile on Saturday, October 25th will ensure a hot, contested pace.

Forever Together - 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the one-mile, Gr. 1 $400,000 First Lady Stakes on the turf at Keeneland on Friday, October 3rd.

Forever Together finished exceptionally well to win. Depending on how many good Europeans show up at Santa Anita, I would give this Jonathan Sheppard-trained mare a royal chance to make her presence felt in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 1 1/4 miles.

Folk Opera - 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/4-mile, Gr. 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes on the turf at Woodbine on Saturday, October 4th.

Folk Opera was given a perfect front running ride by Frankie Dettori to repel bids in the upper stretch to win in the clear over a moderate field. As stated, the course conditions for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf will be much different at Santa Anita and so might be the overall strength of the competition. Godolphin Stable's initial reaction to this victory and the probable course conditions in California led to shipping Folk Opera back to France. But, as we have seen many times, this high-class international racing stable loves Breeders' Cup racing and has been known to change plans at a moment's notice.

Arson Squad - 103 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/8-mile, Gr. 2 $350,000 Meadowlands Cup at Meadowlands on Friday, October 3rd.

Arson Squad closed resolutely to out-game the 3-year-old Anak Nakal with Timber Reserve a good third. All three might ship to Santa Anita for the 10-furlong Breeders' Cup Classic or the Breeders' Cup 'Dirt' Mile (that will actually be run on Pro-Ride). In fact, Timber Reserve would be a logical longshot threat for the Dirt Mile, but like so many other Eastern-based horses, he will have no prior experience on Pro-Ride.

Tale of Ekati - 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gr. 2 $150,000 Jerome Handicap, one mile around one turn on a very sloppy track at Belmont Park on Sunday, October 5th.

Tale of Ekati, who was in tight for some of the Travers when he finished a disappointing seventh, fired his best overall race from slightly off the pace to defeat You and I Forever and Harlem Rocker in very sloppy going. A mile is his very best distance and he can handle dry tracks too, but the ever-present Pro-Ride issue will be front and center.

Indyanne - 101 Beyer Speed Figure in the 6-furlong, Gr. 3 $300,000 Thoroughbred Club of America (TCA) Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday, October 4th.

Indyanne, defeated for the first time after four fast wins when she stumbled at the start of he Victory Ride Stakes at Saratoga on August 23rd, turned in a very game front running performance here to hold off stretch running Wild Gams, who won this race with a strong late burst last year. Both the winner and second-place finisher belong in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at 7 furlongs on October 24th, where they will have to deal with Indian Blessing, unless that top-notch 3-year-old miss is put in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint against males. Fact is, connections of Indyanne are thinking about the 6-furlong Breeders' Cup Sprint as well.

Sing Baby Sing - 101 Beyer Speed Figure in the 6-furlong, Gr. 3 $250,000 Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday, October 4th.

Sing Baby Sing, a 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song, stalked the pace of Talent Search and won the stretch duel by 3/4 lengths from that rival in a time that was nearly identical to Indyanne's clocking in the TCA Stakes on the same Saturday card.

Chamberlain Bridge - 99 Beyer Speed Figure in the 5 1/2-furlong, $150,000 Woodford Stakes on the turf at Keeneland on Saturday, October 4th.

Chamberlain Bridge, a sprinting turf pro who has won four of seven tries at abbreviated distances, defeated a field of other turf pros with strong records at similar distances. The winner and the next three finishers - Smart Enough, Fort Prado and Atticus Kristy - all looked as if they would be serious threats in the 6 1/2-furlong Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. But none of these horses have credentials for the extra furlong or the downhill Santa Anita course utilized for that distance on the grass. There also may be some terrific European-based sprinters who ship in for this rare opportunity to face American sprinters on grass.

There were six important races for 2-year-old candidates for Breeders' Cup races on Pro-Ride and turf.

Vineyard Haven - 99 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gr. 1 $400,000 Champagne Stakes, one mile around one turn at Belmont Park on Saturday, October 4th.

Vineyard Haven won the 7-furlong, Gr. 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga when Cribnotes blew the turn. But in this race at one mile, the grey son of Lido Palace led almost every step of the way and left no doubt that he is the fastest juvenile in New York. Still, trainer Bobby Frankel and part owner Joe Torre - yes, that Joe Torre - aren't sure they want to pay the $180,000 late nominating fee to make Vineyard Haven eligible for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Even if they do put up the money, they will face a formidable opponent.

Square Eddie - 87 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/16-mile, Gr. 1 $500,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland on Saturday, October 4th.

Square Eddie, purchased by American J. Paul Reddam after a sharp second-place finish in a Group 3 stakes in Great Britain on September 6th, may not have scored a very high Beyer Figure in this race, but he sure looked as if he loves a two-turn distance of ground and has considerable potential to improve. I loved his race and would project him as the one to beat in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile even if Vineyard Haven shows up. Second-place finisher Terrain, recent winner of the Arlington Washington Futurity by double disqualification, closed well for second and might be a useful longshot to consider in the exotic wagers on Breeders' Cup Day.

Sky Diva - 85 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gr. 1 $400,000 Frizette Stakes, one mile around one turn at Belmont Park on Saturday, October 4th.

Sky Diva rallied from back in the pack with bursts of speed to open up an unbeatable lead in mid-stretch while Persistently, a slow starting, deep closer, did angle out in mid-stretch to find her best stride as if she will improve with maturity and will have no trouble negotiating any distance.

Grand Adventure - 94 Beyer Speed Figure in the one-mile, Gr. 3 $300,000 Summer Stakes on the turf at Woodbine on Saturday, October 4th.

Grand Adventure won this race despite rallying very, very wide and his jockey losing his whip in the final furlong. He'll be an interesting horse to consider if he goes in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf on October 25th.

Bittel Road - 82 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/16-mile, Gr. 3 $200,000 Woodford Reserve Bourbon Stakes on the turf at Keeneland on Sunday, October 5th.

Bittel Road was far back early, caught in traffic mid-race and seemingly out of the contest at the top of the stretch, but closed strongly with a final 5/16 miles clocked in an excellent 30 seconds to loom a serious upset possibility in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

Dream Empress - 80 Beyer Speed Figure in the 1 1/16-mile, Gr. 1 $500,000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland on Friday, October 3rd.

Dream Empress had won her second career start by a nose in a Saratoga turf race at 1 1/16 miles on August 22nd. The experience around two turns paid off here as previously undefeated Mani Bhavan was unable to cope with the fast early pace and the extra distance, finishing last of seven. Dream Empress has a future, obviously on synthetic and turf courses, and she is a natural distance horse. Still, the rating came up very light for this class and there may be several faster than she in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and/or the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

Who do you like to win? Bet on horse racing now.

As a final note, the popular 3-year-old Pyro, winner of the 2008 Louisiana Derby and an early favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby, was unable to shake his recent penchant for second- and third-place finishes in graded stakes in the $500,000 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Park on Saturday. Pyro was beaten by Tin Cup Chalice, who earned a modest 91 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gr. 2 race at 1 1/16 miles. Pyro beaten by Tin Cup Chalice??? How the mighty hath fallen.

Steve Davidowitz has written two highly acclaimed books on Thoroughbred racing---Betting Thoroughbreds and The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing. He also is a regular contributor to Daily Racing Form's Simulcast Weekly and DRF Plus and his columns appear in the Bodog Racebook each week.