Longchamp: Breeders' Cup Mile berth awaits Prix de la Foret winner

Starspangledbanner, the winner of two Group 1 races in England in 2010, can win his first stakes of 2012 in a competitive running of the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Sunday.

The seven-furlong Prix de la Foret, which drew 12 entrants, will be run as the first Thoroughbred race after the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

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The Prix de la Foret is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 3 to the winner, if nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program.

Starspangledbanner, 6, has made two starts this year, including a second in the Newbridge Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland last month.

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Aidan O’Brien trains Starspangledbanner, who was a Group 1 winner in Australia earlier in his career.

In the Prix de la Foret, Starspangledbanner faces Gordon Lord Byron and Penitent, stakes winners in England earlier this year.

There are 19 runners in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye, which is run over five furlongs on a straightaway turf course through the Longchamp infield.

The expected favorite is Mayson, who won the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket in July. He will have to hold off a late threat from Sole Power, the winner of the Superlative Stakes at Doncaster, England, on Sept. 12.

The Arabian race is the second richest race on the nine-race program.