Short-priced Saffron Beach may have tough foes in Prix Rothschild
Saffron Beach, whose connections intend to start their horse in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf this November at Keeneland, heads a field of seven fillies and mares in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild on Tuesday at Deauville Racecourse.
Saffron Beach won her first Group 1 in October, when she landed the Sun Chariot Stakes, and following a solid fourth-place finish March 26 in the $5 million Dubai Turf at Meydan, the 4-year-old dominated the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes on June 15 at Royal Ascot. It’s a strong resume, but, in England, at least, Saffron Beach might be getting too much respect. Antepost wagering as of Monday had her an odds-on favorite in the Rothschild, a straight mile, and while Saffron Beach should cope with a soft course, she does give seven pounds to 3-year-old opponents like Tenebrism.
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Tenebrism, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was a mild fourth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race won handily by Inspiral. Tenebrism hit peak form when she traveled to France, faced 3-year-old males, and won the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat going seven furlongs on July 10 at Deauville. Tenebrism won her debut on soft ground, and at nearly 2-1 on Monday felt like better value than Saffron Beach.
Five-year-old mare Pearls Galore, sixth last fall in the Breeders Cup Mile, also merits respect. Pearls Galore, trained in Ireland by Paddy Twomey, beat lesser foes in her first two 2022 races and most recently was second behind wire-to-wire winner Order of Australia in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes, a prep for Pearls Galore’s run in the Rothschild.
The field includes Malvath, who was second behind Pizza Bianca in the 2021 BC Juvenile Fillies Turf but looks a cut below Tuesday’s top contenders; and Goldistyle, the fifth foal to race produced by the great mare, Goldikova.
Post time for the Rothschild is 9:33 a.m. Eastern. Watch and wager at DRFBets.com.