Europe: Aquarelliste wins Oaks

CHANTILLY, France - Daniel Wildenstein's new relationship with Elie Lellouche paid its first dividend at Chantilly as Aquarelliste won the Prix de Diane (French Oaks).

Ridden by Dominique Boeuf, the Danehill filly scored by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths over Nadia as the 9-5 favorite, extending her unbeaten record to 3 for 3 and was timed in 2:09.50 for the 1 5/16 miles.

It was Aquarelliste's second start for Lellouche, but Wildenstein's son, Alec Wildenstein, was quick to give partial credit to Aquarelliste's previous trainer, Andre Fabre, who was fired by his father last month.

"She could be the the next Allez France," Alec Wildenstein said, referring to the filly who won the Diane in 1973 and went on to win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Aquarelliste is a full sister to Breeders' Cup Classic winner Arcangues. She will use the Group 3 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville on Aug. 18 to prep for the Prix Vermeille, the traditional springboard for 3-year-old fillies to the Arc.

* Last year's French Oaks winner Egyptband (2-5) ended a three-race losing streak with a three-quarter-length tally over St Expedit in the 1 1/2-mile Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly.