€80,000 Messidor (Gr3): Caramelito, the hard way

Sunday, 14 July 2024, Chantilly Racecourse (Oise). – The weight-for-age €80,000 Prix Messidor (Gr3) mile brought together seven contenders, including the sole 3-year-old, Ice Max (Dark Angel), trained by Karl Burke in Yorkshire. Yet the race's spotlight was on the unstoppable Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Muhaarar), returning to Chantilly four weeks after his Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines (Gr3) victory with a 2lbs-penalty. However, it was the 5-year-old gelding Caramelito (Zarak) who took the lead alongside Marhaba Ya Sanafi. As they entered the home straight, Marhaba Ya Sanafi appeared to gain an edge, but Caramelito's tenacity shone through. After winning his first Listed race seven weeks prior at ParisLongchamp, Caramelito pushed forward to secure his first Gr3 victory, finishing nearly a length ahead of Marhaba Ya Sanafi. Andromède (Sea the Stars), already defeated in the "Bertrand du Breuil," claimed third place, half a length behind.

Caramelito is the fourth foal out of Pretty Panther (Hurricane Run), dam of Jet Setteuse (Makfi), third in the Prix Imprudence (Gr3). Since Caramelito, Pretty Panther has produced an unraced 4-year-old by Le Havre, a 3-year-old by City Light sold as a yearling in Ireland for €26,000 to Stone Farm, and a yearling filly by Recorder.