Anapurna eyeing BC Filly and Mare Turf off Prix de Royallieu win

Anapurna, the winner of the Group 1 English Oaks in May, won Saturday’s Group 1 Prix de Royallieu for fillies and mares at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris in what could lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

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In the $329,400 Prix de Royallieu, Anapurna led throughout the race on a soft turf course at 1 1/2 miles, and won by 1 1/4 lengths over 8-1 Delphinia despite lugging out in the stretch. The incident caused traffic issues for Delphinia and third-place finisher Enbihaar, but did not result in a change to the order of finish after an inquiry. Enbihaar was the 2-1 favorite.

Winning jockey Frankie Dettori received a two-day suspension, which somewhat dampened a record 17th Group 1 win for him this year, a personal best. Dettori received a two-day suspension for his ride aboard Anapurna in the English Oaks for excessive use of the whip.

John Gosden trains Anapurna and Enbihaar. Anapurna, by Frankel, was seventh in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on Sept. 15 in her only start between the English Oaks and Prix de Royallieu.

Gosden said the Group 1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 19 or the BC Filly and Mare Turf are possibilities for Anapurna, who competes for owners Mark Weinfield and Helena Ellingsen’s Helena Springfield, Ltd. Anapurna is expected to be retired at the end of the year.

Earlier on the program, Skalleti (3-1) won his sixth consecutive race in the Group 2 Prix Dollar 1 3/16 miles, finishing three-quarters of a length in front of 7-1 Mountain Angel. Line of Duty, third in the English Derby in June, finished third as the 3-5 favorite, beaten two lengths.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said after the race that Line of Duty is a candidate for the BC Mile at Santa Anita on Nov. 2.

In the other Group 1 on Saturday’s Longchamp program, Holdthasigreen, a 7-year-old gelding, continued his success in marathon races with a 13-1 upset in the $439,200 Prix du Cadran at 2 1/2 miles. Ridden by Tony Piccone, Holdthasigreen led throughout to win by three-quarters of a length over 4-1 Call the Wind. Holdthasigreen won the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Chantilly Racecourse last October.

Dee Ex Bee, the 11-10 favorite, finished third by 1 1/2 lengths after racing in second in the stretch.

In the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at a mile, The Revenant (3-1) pulled clear to win by 4 1/2 lengths over Olmedo, the 9-5 favorite. The Revenant has won 8 of 10 starts in his career, and six consecutive races, four of which are stakes.

Skalleti and The Revenant were ridden by Pierre Charles-Boudot, who had a four-win day at Longchamp, including the Group 2 Prix de Chaudenay for 3-year-olds at 1 7/8 miles with 6-1 Technician for trainer Martyn Meade.

Technician closed from the middle of the field of 10 to finish three-quarters of a length in front of 8-5 favorite Moonlight Spirit. Technician, owned by the Kentucky-based Team Valor syndicate, has won three stakes this year in England and France.