Critérium International : A Lagardere rematch

Four 2-year olds meet at ParisLongchamp on Sunday in the Critérium International (Gr1). Three come from Ireland, and the fourth hails from Germany. It seems that the dramatic ease in the ground and the sudden drop of the temperature took their toll on the French ambitions. This is not a problem that is restricted to the French: Saturday at Doncaster, five of the six starters in the Vertem Futurity (Gr1), over the mile, are trained by the only Aidan O'Brien. The same trainer saddles two runners on Sunday at ParisLongchamp: Armory (Galileo), third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) won by Victor Ludorum, and Wichita (No Nay Never), an easy winner of Tattersalls Sommerville Stakes ( Gr3) at Newmarket before taking the third place of the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1), five lengths behind the juvenile champion Pinatubo. The third Irishman in the race is trained by Joseph O'Brien, the son of the former. He supplemented Lady Penelope (Night of Thunder) in the race. She was fourth to Shadn in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2), lately, over 6 furlongs. The field is completed by the German raider Alson (Areion), second in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère after leading most of the race. Trained by Jean-Pierre Carvalho, he will undoubtedly appreciate the shortening from 8 to 7 furlongs.