Terrakova aims Diane Longines

The day after the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1, June 18th at Chantilly) press conference, observers were looking forward to the Prix Cleopatre (Gr3), one of the main prep races to the French Oaks, on Tuesday at Saint-Cloud racecourse. Much was expected from both Terre (Motivator), a sister to the great Trève, and Terrakova (Galileo), a daughter of Goldikova (Anabaa), over the 2,100 meters trip. The first weakened after leading the race, a counter-performance after her convincing comeback in Chantilly over a much softer course. The second, winner of her only race to date last year, completely reassured by prevailing despite a troubled trip behind leaders. The Wertheimer&Frère filly crushed all hopes as soon as she saw day light and it looks like her trainer Freddy Head will have another shot at winning the Prix de Diane he won four times as a jockey. Even Goldikova could not win the Prix de Diane for him, as she had to settle for third behind Zarkava and Gagnoa before switching back to the mile, and became one of the best racehorses of our time.

The 2008 edition of the Prix de Diane was quite extraordinary, actually.

Two other important events were held Tuesday at Saint-Cloud. The Prix Corrida (Gr2), for 4+ fillies and mares, went to Armande (Sea the Stars). Ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the Édouard de Rothschild-bred filly took the short way into the final straight and sonne made a difference, with a fast closing That Which is Not (Elusive Quality) finishing second at three lengths. The winner is inbred 3x3 on the great mare Allegretta.

In the Prix du Lys (Gr3), a fine prep race for the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) over 1m1/2, the winner Called to the Bar (Henrythenavigator) will probably have to skip that since he's been gelded. However, the Pia Brandt-trained 3yo, supplemented here, demolished the small field to win by 2 lengths. We had covered his first win in our maiden winners chronicle on this site.