Germany: Arc winner Danedream wins return at Baden-Baden

Danedream, the blowout winner of the 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, made a winning return to the races on Sunday in Germany, beating nine rivals in the Group 2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmer at Baden-Baden.

Danedream’s brilliant Arc win capped a three-race winning streak, but the German filly could only finish sixth in the Japan Cup while making the final start of her 3-year-old season. The race Sunday was her first in almost six months, and trainer Peter Schiergen described Danedream as being only about 80 percent fit. Nevertheless, after tracking the leaders under regular rider Andrasch Starke, Danedream made the lead about a furlong from the finish of the 1 3/8-mile race and held at bay challenges from Ovambo Queen and Silvaner, winning by a measured three-quarters of a length.

Danedream will step back up in class for her next start, and could make her first trip to England and race in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July at Ascot, though the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud also is a possible target.