Joanna wins Prix Imprudence, with Special Duty third
Special Duty's trip to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas is on hold after the European juvenile champion finished only third in the Group 3, $107,000 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Friday. A Hennessy filly trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, Special Duty led until 150 yards from the line, when she was headed by the 2.60-1 Joanna, who recorded a half-length victory over Evading Tempete, who came late for second, a half-length in front of Special Duty.
The winner of the six-furlong, Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in her last start on Oct. 2, Special Duty was sent off at 11-10 but was clearly in need of this race. She was also put at a disadvantage by the very soft ground, which helped to produce a winning time of 1:28.60 for seven furlongs. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for Special Duty's owner, Khalid Abdullah, also pointed out that the mile of the 1000 Guineas might be a bit too far for her.
Joanna, meanwhile, has the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, or French 1000 Guineas, at Longchamp on May 16 firmly in her sites. Last year, she won the Group 3 Prix du Calvados for Italian trainer Bruno Grizzetti. Since then, she has been bought by Hamdan al-Maktoum and turned over to Jean-Claude Rouget.
Makfi remains undefeated in two starts after his impressive three-length victory over Too Nice Name in the colts' equivalent of the Imprudence, the Group 3 Prix Djebel. A son of Dubawi trained by Mikel Delzangles, he was also the winner of his racecourse debut in his only juvenile start, which came at Fontainebleau. He is now being considered for either the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 1 or the French version, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, on May 16. The winning 6.30-1 shot traveled the straight seven furlongs in 1:29.
Fuisse, sidelined since finishing second in the French Derby for Head-Maarek on June 7, could manage only third in his return in the
1 5/16-mile Prix Jacques Laffitte, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind the Andre Fabre-trained winner, Byword.