€150,000 Fleuret 4yo Chase (Gr3): Karre d'As in three points

Sunday, March 31, 2024, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris) - As three weeks earlier in the €150,000 Duc d'Anjou 4yo Chase (Gr3), the AQPS mare Karre d'As (Balko) led from start to finish in the €150,000 Fleuret 4yo Chase (Gr3), another step on the road to the €355,000 Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1) in seven weeks. However, this new victory for the mare owned by Patrice Détré and Mrs Philippe Cottin differed for three reasons. Firstly, the mare bred by Mrs Philippe Cottin and the late Magalen Bryant conceded three kilos to her rivals. Secondly, a severe storm had significantly softened the track less than an hour earlier. Lastly, this time the mare won by no less than fourteen lengths!

Once again partnered with Charlotte Prichard, Karre d’As also benefited from the misfortunes of her main rivals, particularly Chanteur du Bourg (Chœur du Nord), who was still in contention when he fell at the last hurdle on the far side. Another potential rival, Kilomètre Illimité (No Risk at All), nearly unseated his rider at the water jump, then re-entered the race. Still, without full control, the unfortunate Florent Bayle was eventually carried out for good, without injury, at the stone wall. Kroisade (Jeu St Eloi) made numerous mistakes and the 2nd favourite Kentucky Wood (Balko)... finished 2nd! 

Déjà lauréates du Prix Duc d’Anjou (Gr3) sous la casaque de Patrice Détré, Karre d’As ⁦@TheFrenchChaser⁩ et Charlotte Prichard répètent sur les 4400m du Prix Fleuret (Gr3) malgré 3kg de surcharge ! pic.twitter.com/XWKTDa01k8

— France Galop (@francegalop) March 31, 2024

Karre d'As is the first foal out of Bonne Passe (Maresca Sorrento), a winner of two races in 22 attempts, in steeplechase (at Pau) and cross-country (at Blain), before going to stud. Following her are a Reliable Man filly, also in training with David Cottin, and a 2-year-old  Moises Has colt. The second dam, Iroquoise II (Dom Pasquini), also made her mark in cross-country…