2011 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (UK commentary)

[jsham23]

So You Think ran a belter of a race. Held up for the whole trip.

[manduro07]

In Japan it will be just a matter of fatigue - or not. On class Danedream has to be a very short priced favourite. The ground condition isn't an issue, as it should be with really great horses. But she had quite a couple of hard races. It wouldn't be a disgrace for her to get beaten after such a marvellous year.

[thomasucc]

How can a germany horse ever bet an Irish Horse. I just cannot understand it. Really I can't

[medicean]

@GBeret83 In fact, the track in Tokyo is very fast, and most Europe horse are racing in soft ground.

but Danedream is a all-rounder and shows she's good at Fast ground like in Arc,

and she can place in front but most of the European horse are far behind.

[Tenorliebe]

The best horse in the world!

[daeuri]

This race reminded me of Peintre Celebre's win in the 97 Arc. In both cases, the winner accelerated twice in the stretch to slip the field and set the course record. To me, Danedream's accomplishment warrants more praise than any speculation or criticism regarding why other horses didn't do better.

[TicinoParadise]

Treasure beach sacrificed as Pacemaker made me pissed. He is a talented 12f horse, and should have been given a a chance in here to have a fair run.

[1991rhys]

have a good look at the run of SO YOU THINK..i thought it was awesome...he's never raced so far back before... makes you wonder if it was a poor ride or team instructions either way was wrong...not saying he would have won with a better gate or ride...but he would have got much closer...just my opinion

[ElT345]

I think with the bonus money added for her Arc and Baden Baden wins, she would stand to make more money with a Japan Cup win than the BC Classic winner. To her 2nd place would still be worth more than the BC Turf.

[GBeret83]

I think part of Danedream's ownership being from Japan is where the decision to skip the Breeders Cup in favor of the Japan Cup came from. But I believe the $3 million BC Turf or $2 million BC F&M Turf purses looked like easier pickings for Danedream than the Japan Cup does. The Euro horses haven't fared that well at Tokyo over the past few seasons. Purple Moon 9th in 08'. Conduit 4th in 09'. Cirrus Des Aigles 9th, Joshua Tree 10th, Dandino 11th in 10'. Hard to beat the local horses at Tokyo,IMO

[Alleinikov1]

@GBeret83 You may be right, concerning the ownership of Danedream. But did you recognize the extra money the winner of the Arc as well as the winner of the Großer Preis von Baden would get in addition to the the "normal" prize money if beeing placed (or winning) in the Japan Cup? Danedream ist the winner of both those races. So the Japan Cup could be a real bonanza. Let's wait and see.

[GBeret83]

@Alleinikov1, Didn't realize Danedream stood to get a large amount of bonus money if she win's or run's big in the Japan Cup? I was just purely speculating that I thought her chances of getting a win or placed share of the $3 million dollar BC Turf might be better than her chances of getting a win or placed share of the Japan Cup would be?

[Alleinikov1]

@GBeret83 Well, I don't know, which of those races is "easyer". But the prize money in the Japan Cup is much higher. By the way, german horses have won both, Lando the Japan Cup, Shirocco the Breeders Cup Turf.

[bear24rock]

i didnt think it was a vintage at all.i dont think the 3yr olds are anything special this year..not 1 stand out horse like in previous years like galileo, high chaparral,rock of gibraltor,see the stars,hurricane run ,dalakhani etc.not arc horses,just in general..only 1 horse has grabbed my attention as a world class horse..that horse is frankel...he has the build of a tank reminds me of that good horse falbrav.BEAST!

[manduro07]

@GBeret83 Easy answer: Because the presence of two very good pacemakers ensured that the race was a real test of stamina. So you could separate the wheat from the chaff. The winning time speaks volumes. No excuses for the losers: They weren't good enough, a least on the day. But, most likely, on any other day as well.

[paradoxicus]

Carrera totalmente peculiar.

Danedream es reenganchada y no figura entre los aspirantes iniciales.Los mejores machos de Europa,fallan estrepitosamente.Las tres primeras son yeguas,hecho insólito en el historial del Arco.Además "a priori",contaban poco,la segunda y la tercera..Recuerdese como bazas mas sólidas a Sarafina e incluso Galinova.Se bate el mejor tiempo del historial del Arco.Danedream,gana muy bien...por ¡Cinco cuerpos.

Queda por ver si se vuelven a establecer jerarquías y valores.!

[GBeret83]

I don't understand why in the world Ballydoyle did what they did with Treasure Beach in this race? He's probably the best middle distance 3yr.old in their barn, and got a big weight break. To take a horse talented enough to win the G1 Irish Derby, G1 Secretariat Stakes, beat the King George winner, Nathaniel, in the G3 Chester Vase, and very nearly won the G1 Epsom Derby, and make a sacrificial lamb out of him as a pacemaker is crazy? Why not let him try to win this race on his own merits? TJMO.

[GBeret83]

One of the strangest Arc's I can ever remember. Not strange in the fact that Danedream won the race so easily and set a new Arc record. A lot punters just flatly overlooked a very talented 3yr.old filly in this race. Myself included. But strange in the alarmingly high # of high profile horses who all either simultaneously chose to make the Arc their worst run of the season? Or the alarmingly high # of jockey's who all simultaneously chose the Arc to make it their worst ride of the season? JMO.

[MrNativeDancer]

@GBeret83 If you can, just watch this race on a big screen and focus on Workforce. Not making excuses for him but surely after that it was race over from then on. I bet Ryan Moore went easy on him incase he broke down after that, good job he had a jockey on board that looked after him. As for the Others I have watched this race replayed over 30 times to analyse it and I can honestly say there is virtually no other excuses for an of them.That maybe as good as they are?? The winner Fantastic? lol