Baron Samedi Seeks Group 1 in Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Baron Samedi wins the Belmont Gold Cup at Belmont Park
Recent Hardwicke Stakes (G2) runner-up Broome and Belmont Gold Cup (G2T) victor Baron Samedi will bid to become the first Irish-trained winner of the July 4 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.
Broome was also runner-up in this year's Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) at the Curragh two starts back. The 5-year-old, who is ridden by Colin Keane, finished a narrow second in the 2018 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (G1) in his sole previous trip to France for Aidan O'Brien as a 2-year-old.
Baron Samedi, trained by Joseph O'Brien, has been a revelation since a gelding operation in August, rising through the ranks in handicaps before three group/graded-race triumphs in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2), Vintage Crop Stakes (G3), and Belmont Gold Cup. He will be partnered for the first time by Mickael Barzalona in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
The O'Brien contingent face some stiff opposition. Last year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) second and Deutsches Derby-German Derby (G1) victor In Swoop is 16-1 to go one better in the Longchamp showpiece and arrives at Saint-Cloud on the back of two victories, including a score in the June 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) at Chantilly Racecourse.
The Distorted Humor filly Ebaiyra is 2-for-2 this season with group wins over Raabihah in the Prix Allez France Longines (G3) and Prix Corrida (G2) and bids for a first top-level success for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.
Royer-Dupre said: "She's in super condition, has had time to recover from her last run, and I'm very happy with her preparation. She will have some very serious rivals to tackle here and with the weather forecast as it is, I would prefer it if the ground doesn't get really deep, especially given she will be back over a mile and a half.
"I love the way the filly is progressing and it will be interesting to see her up against this level of opposition."
Arc fourth and group 2 winner Gold Trip figures to be a player while Nagano Gold finished second to Way To Paris in last year's running and bids to go one better in Sunday's contest. Last year's German Derby third Kaspar and Darley Prix Jean Romanet (G1) second Ambition complete the eight-runner field.