Polydream rallies powerfully to win Prix Maurice de Gheest

Polydream closed with a rush in the final furlong to win Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, France, a race that could lead to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3.

Polydream (9-2) finished a half-length in front of 42-1 James Garfield, who was near the front throughout the $440,116 race at 6 1/2 furlongs. The Tin Man (10-1) ran third, beaten a length in a field of 20.

City Light, the 3-1 favorite, finished fifth, while Brando, who won the 2017 Prix Maurice de Gheest, finished eighth. James Garfield was 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last November.

The Prix Maurice de Gheest is the top sprint race of the summer in France and was the first Group 1 win for Polydream, who was ridden by Maxime Guyon for Freddie Head. Polydream was second in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac for 2-year-old fillies at Chantilly last October and last of 14 in the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp in May.

Polydream is the first 3-year-old filly to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest since Moonlight Cloud in 2011. Moonlight Cloud won the Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2012 and 2013.

Head said Polydream is a candidate for the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at seven furlongs at Longchamp on Oct. 7, which would be a prep for the BC Mile. Polydream has won two Group 3 races at seven furlongs in her six-race career, which includes four wins.

Owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, Polydream is by Oasis Dream and is out of Polygreen, who ran in the United States from 2002-04. Trained by Richard Mandella at the time, Polygreen was second in the Grade 3 Monrovia Handicap on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in 2003.