Waldgeist makes 2017 debut in France's Prix Greffulhe

Waldgeist, the winner of the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October in his final appearance at 2, will have his first start of 2017 in Monday’s Group 2 Prix Greffulhe for 3-year-old colts and fillies at Saint-Cloud in Paris.

The $143,247 Prix Greffulhe at 1 1/4 miles on turf could provide clues for Group 1 races such as the English Derby at Epsom Racecourse on June 3 or the French Derby at Chantilly on June 4.

Waldgeist, by Galileo, has won two of three starts and is one of two starters in Monday's field of five trained by Andre Fabre, who also runs Akihiro. Waldgeist won his debut at Chantilly last September and was third in the Group 3 Prix de Conde at 1 1/8 miles at Chantilly last October.

Akihiro, a Deep Impact colt bred in Japan, has raced exclusively in France and has won two of three starts. Akihiro was second in the Group 3 Prix Noailles at 1 5/16 miles on turf at Chantilly on April 16 in his first start of the year.

The field includes the improving Recoletos, who won a maiden race in March and an allowance race in April; Saldier, who was sixth in the Prix de l’Avre at Saint-Cloud on May 1; and Monreal, a winner in Germany in his last start.