13 May 2020
Photo Another Sky : scoopdyga.com
Six 3-year-old colts start in the Prix La Force (Gr3), one of the obvious prep races for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1), which will take place this year on Sunday July 5, more than seven weeks later.
Winner of this race last season, Shaman has just won the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2) but initially, he had returned over the mile after this success over 9 furlongs.
However, the Prix La Force is usually used to target the French Derby, and so did Study of Man when second in this race in 2018 before winning at Chantilly, or Saônois, the last winner of the two races in 2012.
Several of the runners this time are already among the fancied horses for the French Classic and their return will be decisive ...
Click here for the Prix La Force's History
- 1. Mkfancy (c3, FRA by Makfi and Fancy Green, by Muhtathir) Rating: 111lbs
Third for his debut in September behind the champion Victor Ludorum, he won his maiden over the mile at Saint-Cloud by three lengths and then won the Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1) over 10 furlongs . However, he was second for his return on Chantilly's all-weather, beating Chachnak, whom he finds here again.
He is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 2. Chachnak (c3, FRA by Kingman and Tamazirte, by Danehill Dancer) Rating: 100lbs
Bought back for € 95,000 at the Deauville yearling sales, even though he's out of a French Guineas and Oaks second, Tamazirte, he also won his first race at Vichy and confirmed at Lyon-Parilly over the mile. Outclassed in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1), he failed again, but at the Listed level, over 10 furlongs at Marseille-Borély. For his return at Chantilly over the all-weather, he had to settle for third behind Mkfancy.
He is entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1) and the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1).
- 3. Nat King (c3, GB by Nathaniel and Shivering, by Royal Applause) Rating: -
He races for his breeders and won over the mile in his early days at Deauville but was not seen again and only took a third place last March for his return at Deauville on the all-weather.
He is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 4. Océan Atlantique (c3, USA by American Pharoah and Tare Green, by Giant’s Causeway) Rating: -
Purchased for €1.1m at the Arqana breeze-up sale in May 2019, notably because of his sire, the American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, he finished second for his debut behind a well-regarded colt, then won very easily on heavy ground.
He is entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1), the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 5. Another Sky (c3, FRA by Le Havre and Darkova, by Maria’s Mon) Rating: -
Bred by his owner, he only ran once but won like a champion, by more than four lengths over 9.5 furlongs and on the Chantilly all-weather track. It was last March and his return is therefore eagerly awaited. He is a brother to Almanzor, winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) in 2016.
He is entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).
- 6. Pao Alto (c3, Fra by Intello and Peaceful Love, by Dashing Blade) Rating: 106lbs
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).
He is entered in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1), the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) and the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1).