Chinchon to start at Longchamp, Woodbine

Chinchon, unseen since his breathtaking come-from-behind victory in the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 3, is preparing for a North American campaign this fall at his home base in Chantilly.

Chinchon returned to France immediately after the United Nations, since when his trainer, Carlos Laffon-Parias, has mapped out an ambitious schedule for the 5-year-old son of Marju, who closed like a rifle shot to defeat the now-retired Take the Points by a handy 1 1/2 lengths in the 1 3/8-mile United Nations.

“He will run in the Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sept. 12 as a prep for the Canadian International on Oct. 16,” Laffon-Parias reported from Deauville on Thursday. “If all goes well, he will then be shipped to Louisville for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.”

Chinchon earned himself an automatic berth in the Turf through his victory in the United Nations, in which he ran the best race of his life. He had previously won a pair of Group 3 races going 1 1/4 miles in France, La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte last September, and the Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud in March. His best effort in a Group or Grade 1 race before the United Nations came in the 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin where he finished 1 3/4 lengths fourth to Presvis. He also finished fourth to Gio Ponti in last year’s Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.