Persian King favored in Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly

Persian King is the favorite but far from a cinch in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan.

The 1 1/8-mile fixture usually is held at Longchamp in May, but this is no usual year, and the 2020 renewal comes Sunday at Chantilly.

Persian King, winner of the 2019 French 2000 Guineas, knows Chantilly well, having made four of his nine starts there. He won twice over the course at age 2, but in June he was upset in a listed race, his first start in more than a year. Last summer, Persian King made his only start beyond one mile racing in the Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, going 1 5/16 miles at Chantilly; he acquitted himself admirably, finishing second, but was no match for Sottsass.

Persian King, trained by Andre Fabre for Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbreds, is by Kingman out of Pretty Please, by Dylan Thomas; the sire was a champion miler, the dam a twice-started racehorse who won her debut going 1 5/16 miles at Chantilly. Put it all together and Persian King, who scored a workmanlike win over just four foes June 28 in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet, probably gets the distance.

Motamarris could prove a major rival, but the Ispahan appears to be on the short side of his ideal trip, which probably comes at least at 1 1/4 miles. Third in the 2019 French Derby, Motamarris has won his four other starts and, plunked into an easy spot by trainer Freddie Head for his 2020 debut June 28, Motamarris romped.

Shaman proved no match for Sottsass and the streaking 7-year-old Way to Paris last out in the Group 1 Prix Ganay, but he might have regressed following a strong comeback win, and the cut back in trip from 1 5/16 miles to 1 1/8 miles should serve front-running Shaman well.

English invader Roseman, trained by Roger Varian, ran decently in the straight-mile Queen Anne at Rotal Ascot to launch his 4-year-old campaign and appears to have some latitude for improvement.

The Ispahan goes at 10:25 a.m. Eastern. Live video and wagering is available at DRFBets.com.