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Preview of the Arc de Triomphe Stakes

Original article written by Fanta Arcadia posted 11 years 1 week ago

When one thinks of a race for the history books it’s usually because there are two maybe three brilliant horses running in it. This year’s Arc de Triomphe has ascended beyond “history book” status and made its way straight into fantasy. It is hard to conceive the idea of twelve millionaires and one near millionaire competing on the same day, let alone in the same race.

Yet this year’s Arc de Triomphe has been able to attract those horses and that is what makes this race so hard to handicap. This article is not meant to identify a winner; this article was written with the idea of helping the reader have a closer look at the entrants, and give some idea of who to select for the Steward’s exacta contest with a grand prize of 30,000 game points.
So without further ado, I present to you the field for the Arc de Triomphe of Year 33…

ALEXEI (by Stealth Ninja-Alix Von Hessen [Everest]) was born and bred for this race. A mile and a half is the distance that Alexei excels at and this year the five year old stallion is looking to avenge his narrow loss from the year before. In last year’s Arc Alexei was the third place finisher, but he was only three quarters of a length behind the winner Andre. With Andre out of the picture, Alexei is taking aim at Europe’s prestigious race. In his three most recent starts he has won the Warning Label Stakes, the London Cup, and finished second in the King George Stakes. In the London Cup he defeated both Go Do and Quite the Feat going a mile and a half.

BUCKING TRENDS (by Greatest-Set Trends [Untamed]) is a Jon Xett homebred that has only finished out of the top three once and has been on a three race win streak since that very loss. Bucking Trends has a habit of winning by the smallest of margins, and with his mighty closing kick you can expect him to let the frontrunners burn themselves out before making his move. His current win streak includes the mile and a quarter Prix Marseille, the mile and a half Norwegian Gold Cup, and the mile and an eighth Prix Chamonix.

CATERWAUL (by Frayed-Sound the Alarm [Loki Flame]) is quite the looker, and boy can he run. This son of Frayed has made a mockery of his competition in Asia by winning the Hong Kong Silver Cup, Hong Kong Racecourse Derby, Hong Kong Champions Route, the Japanese Fall Marathon, and the Japan Trophy. Ever since running in the desert, earlier this spring, Asia’s Horse of the Year has been having a bit of a dry spell. Hopefully with a lush, green turf course and running room he will hit his best stride.

ELYSIAN PARK (by Acme-Ink Black Sky [Black Condor]) is this year’s Desert Turf Classic winner and last year’s conqueror of Australia. During his stint in the Land Down Under he won the Caulfield Trophy, Sydney Trophy, Cox Trophy, and the Melbourne Trophy. As a result of winning these prestigious races he racked up a total of $1,500,000 and South Pacific Champion Older Male. Since his victory in the desert, he has won the German International Cup and then finished third in the King George Stakes. Elysian Park will assuredly appreciate the firm condition of the track and the return to a mile and a half distance.

FARSCAPE (by Moya-Daybreak [Gonzalo]) certainly has one of the more unique pedigrees in the race. His sire being the talented Moya and his damsire being Gonzalo; Farscape has been run mainly at the shorter routes but running at a mile and a half is in his blood. In his most recent start he won the SIMHorseRacing Route at that very distance. In his last three starts he has consistently scored an 80 speed figure. So he could definitely be one to come up and shock us.

FORGAVE (by Vernacular-Foremost [Sadler’s Wells]) is a gorgeous six year old mare taking on the boys in this prestigious race. She has only won one race this year, the Manatee Stakes, and is coming off of four weeks rest. I wouldn’t worry about fitness for this one though as she had a nice swim in a pool on the 23rd of this month.

GIBRALTAR (by Trafalgar-Global [Atlas]) may not be a millionaire but he sure is knocking on the door. Back earlier this year he tangoed with several of the horses in this field when he finished fifth in the Desert Turf Classic. After that race he rebounded to win the Queen’s Memorial Stakes and the Hong Kong Champion’s Route. Both of those races were at a mile and a half. His pedigree also boasts his ability on the track with the likes of Banner, Conduit, and Loki Flame.

GO DO (by Do Something-In This Moment [Sadler’s Wells]) is the other Jon Xett entry. This black son of Do Something was bred by the Steward and has had great success and near misses in the upper-echelon of racing. Since winning the King George Stakes last year, he has finished second in last year’s edition of the Arc, won the Canterbury Stakes by defeating Alexei, finished second in the Warning Label and London Cup both to Alexei, and finally in his most recent start he defeated his rival Alexei in the King George Stakes. Needless to say that this handsome boy is eagerly waiting to avenge last year’s loss in the Arc… exactly like his arch rival.

JUVENILE TURF STAR (by Scream in the Wind-Meta Four [Symboli Kris S]) is a Paul Sellers homebred and a real longshot in this race. He has only won one race in five starts.

QUITE THE FEAT (by Feat-Wished Away [Acapulco]) was so close to being last year’s winner of the Steward’s Cup Turf but he just lost to Pingu by a neck. Before that he had a four race win streak that included the German Derby, London Derby, Irish Derby, and English St. Leger. Since his loss to Pingu he has been winless in four starts. This handsome boy is looking to get back on the winning track what better place than the Arc? So far this year he has finished second in the Desert Turf Classic and third in the London Cup. P.S. Happy Birthday Leo!!!

SIR JOHN FALSTAFF (by Trafalgar-Cressida [Black Condor]) is a regal horse with a gorgeous pedigree and an enviable race record. Last year he was the winner of the Worldwide Stakes, the Irish St Leger, and the Rainbow Bright Stakes. This year he started off with a second in the Danish Jockey Club Stakes before rebounding to rattle off wins in the Prix Sacred Heart and the Prince of England Stakes. He’ll have no problem going the distance and if given the trip will surely be a great factor in the race.

SOMETHING WILD (by The Wilding-Somethingsomething [Sunday Silence]) is a familiar face with a rather familiar story by now. This horse can just about do anything on a turf course. He has won going a mile (the Steward’s Cup Turf Juvenile), he has won at short routes, and a mile and three quarter races don’t seem to faze him. Some of his best races have come from poor conditions but he can handle a firm course just fine. Most recently he has finished third in the Desert Duty Free, won the Wicklow Cup, and finished second in an allowance. This handsome gelding is just screaming to show the world he hasn’t lost his touch.

STORM THE BOW (by Scream in the Wind-World Traveler [Atlas]) is last year’s Los Campeones Route winner and the winner of this year’s Desert Duty Free. He is a winner at a mile in a quarter, as evidenced by the Los Campeones Route, but it’s that extra quarter mile that may give him trouble. He has never been run at a mile and a half so we won’t know what’ll happen till the race is run. He certainly is classy enough and has the pedigree to get the distance.

TEMPER THE FLAME (by Moya-Escena the Flame [Loki Flame]) has competed well in many great races. He is the winner of last year’s Prince of England Stakes, finished second in last year’s Desert Duty Free, and only lost this year’s Prince of England Stakes by a half of a length. He has never won at a mile and a half, but he can certainly get the distance as evidenced by his resume. He can also hang with the best the world has to offer, which means he has as much of a chance as any at winning this race.

ALSO ELIGIBLES(S):

PORTRAIT IN DEATH (by Explode-Javert II [Anthem]) has come into recent fame with her astounding record… of 34 starts and 34 losses. 32 of those races were on dirt and two have been on turf. This mare has never earned a penny to her name. She is owned by Danny Derby and was bred by Fallon Neely.

Phew… a field full of such superstars has made me as confused as to who’s going to win as I was to begin with. Hopefully this article has shed some light on the Arc’s entrants and will help you on selecting your picks for the Steward’s exacta contest. Best of luck to all!


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