Treve wins French Oaks to remain undefeated

Treve made the third start of her career in Sunday’s $1.32 million French Oaks at Chantilly Racecourse but ran like a filly with considerable experience, winning the Group 1 race by four lengths to remain unbeaten.

Ridden by Thierry Janet, Treve (8-1) closed along the inside in early stretch, took the lead with about 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, and finished well clear of 16-1 Chicquita. Silasol, the winner of the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on May 26, finished third in the field of 11.

Flotilla, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita in November, could only finish eighth after fading from contention in the final quarter-mile. Flotilla was the 2-1 favorite for the French Oaks, known in France as the Prix de Diane.

Treve, by Motivator, won a maiden race for unraced horses at Longchamp in September and a conditions race at Saint Cloud on May 15. Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek for Haras Du Quesnay, Treve ran 1 5/16 miles in a course-record 2:03.77 in the French Oaks.

Head-Maarek said Treve will be pointed for the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in September.