France: Weather likely factor for Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp

Persistent rain turned the Group 1 races this past weekend in Ireland into tests of stamina, rewarding stout runners who could stand up to testing conditions. Similar circumstances are likely to prevail Monday in France, where Longchamp hosts a multi-stakes card headed by the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary.

The Saint-Alary, open to 3-year-old fillies and contested at about 1 1/4 miles, drew 11 entrants, none of whom is established as a top-level performer. As of Sunday, Harajuku was tepidly favored in antepost wagering, but her nice win May 1 in the Prix Cleopatre at Longchamp came over good ground and Harajuku finished eighth on heavy going last fall in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Rumi, on the other hand, exits a win in the Group 3 Prix Vanteaux, run over very soft ground – the Longchamp course designation as of Sunday – on April 11 at Longchamp, and in her only start at age 2 captured a Longchamp maiden race over heavy going.

:: Join DRF Bets and play the races with a $250 First Deposit Bonus. Click to learn more.

The Freddie Head-trained Sibila Spain has raced once in her career, on March 25 at Saint-Cloud, but won that 10-furlong contest for unraced maidens, contested at 1 1/4 miles on a heavy course, by nine lengths. Penja and Cirona also possess decent claims to contention in what appears to be a very competitive race.

Meanwhile, Calgary is unproven in conditions similar to those he’s likely to encounter Monday, but also brings a spotless 3-for-3 record into the Group 2 Prix Hocquart, an 11-furlong contest that can serve as a prep for the June 6 Prix du Jockey Club, France’s derby. Calgary, an Olympic Glory colt trained by Frederic Rossi, was favored over Lambo as of Sunday among eight entrants in the Prix Hocquart.

*** Best of Lips, one of the better German 2-year-olds of 2020, heads a field of eight entered to race Monday at Cologne in the German 2,000 Guineas.