Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud 2011

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This video is courtesy of Equidia. Go to their site for more French horse racing

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Saint-Cloud
• Sarafina
• Cirrus
• des
• Aigles
• horse
• racing
• races
• french

[TicinoParadise]

That horse ran HUGE on the lead. Great run, to bad he got nipped at the wire.

[GBeret83]

Really big fan of Indian Days. Because he always tries really hard to win every race he run's in. No matter if it's a handicap or patent stakes race? But the G1 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud may have been a bit deeper field than Indian Days is really capable of competing well against? I wonder if Dandino might not have represented James Given stable a little better in this race than Indian Days ultimately did? JMO.

[GBeret83]

On a personal note, I think Cirrus Des Aigles has been brilliant in 2011. As good as he's ever looked. If the Prix Ganay were run again tomorrow? I think Cirrus Des Aigles, Sarafina, and Cape Blanco all three would reverse that Ganay form with Planteur. His only other losses this season were by a neck to Sarafina in this race, and by a neck to Goldikova in the Ispahan. He should've been at York for the JIS. But I hope he at least comes to the Champion Stakes. Since he can't run in the Arc. JMO.

[GBeret83]

Right now, I rate Sarafina as the best bet for the Arc among the older horses. But I have to say, even with Pour Moi retired, the 3yr.old's, from France in-particular, look an awfully strong lot this year, and may prove difficult to beat? I.E., Reliable Man, Galikova, Meandre, and Golden Lilac. I think the upcoming Prix Foy will give both Sarafina and St Nicholas Abbey a very good shot at upping their Arc profile if both run well in the Prix Foy? JMO.

[GBeret83]

@AWrulez, I know that Cirrus Des Aigles notched another win today, and was the best horse by a street in the Grand Prix De Deauville!! There's no doubt he's having the best year of his career in 2011. Would've loved for his connections to have sent him to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes. I know Cirrus Des Aigles isn't eligible to run in the Arc because he's a gelding. But he could certainly run in the B.C. Turf. Because Presious Passion, that was 2nd to Conduit in 09' was a gelding.

[AWrulez]

@GBeret83 Lemaire could have ridden either and he went for Behkabad in the Arc. I think Behk was tired in the Arc and BC, and so was Planteur in HK (he got beat by Packing Winner ffs).

There's no doubt Cirrus Des Aigles should've beaten Daryakana in the HK Vase 2 years ago, he was unluckily caught wide the whole race. He just didn't show his best in HK last year but looks a better horse this year. Maybe running well in the Japan Cup from a bad draw, and the travelling took its toll.

[Miel0611]

It was not pretty to watch Sarafina fighting for her head in the early stages. What was Lemaire thinking?!?

[08DENMAN]

At the moment I see the Arc between Pour Moi and this filly. An in form Workforce may cause them problems but the need for speed means that there are less contenders than in the past. Fame and Glory could drop back in trip (especially if soft going) and outstay them but I do think the two french horses have the requisite foot to triumph

[GBeret83]

@08DENMAN, totally agree with you about Sarafina needing every yard of the 12f. I think the Prix Ganay being 10+f is the only reason she was beaten by Planteur in her 2011 seasonal debut. Planteur's an awfully good horse. But he was beaten twice by Behkabad in 2010. And I absolutely believe that Sarafina is a better horse than Behkabad is. I'll bet if you were to ask the racing manager of the Aga Khan stables in France that he or she would say the same thing?

[08DENMAN]

She may be even better of a faster pace. She seems to need every yard of the 12 furlongs