Make Believe Dominates French 2,000 Guineas
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Prince Faisal's Make Believe made the pace and easily won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Fr-I, French Two Thousand Guineas) from late-running stablemate New Bay May 10 at Longchamp.
Make Believe was challenged after entering the straight and coasted to a comfortable three-length triumph. New Bay, overcoming a wide draw, closed down the outside from last in the 18-horse field to snatch second in the closing strides from Pennsylvania-bred Mr. Owen, giving French trainer Andre Fabre a one-two finish in the French classic.
Aidan O'Brien-trained Highland Reel, the 27-10 favorite with some bookmakers, finished sixth after racing forwardly early, along with stablemate War Story, Flaming Spear, and Mr. Owen.
Starting from post 4 with Olivier Peslier and setting an easy pace, Make Believe was two lengths clear of his rivals into the lane when Mr. Owen asserted himself, but he was no threat to the winner, who drew off.
Make Believe covered 1,600 meters (about a mile) in 1:36.85 on good to soft turf, giving Fabre a sixth win in the race.
"Olivier Peslier rode a fantastic race," Ted Voute, racing manager for Prince Faisal, told England's Press Association. "We were drawn very well, which helped in that situation, and the second horse ran a tremendous race from where he was drawn.
"I would suspect that the prince and Andre will sit down and discuss probably going to Royal Ascot (for the St. James's Palace Stakes, Eng-I)."
Khalid Abdullah's racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said New Bay would be aimed for the Prix du Jockey-Club (Fr-I, French Derby).
The Guineas win was the first in a stakes for Make Believe, who came in off a close runner-up finish to Ride Like The Wind in the Prix Djebel (Fr-III) April 2 at Maisons-Laffitte in his stakes and season debut. He was perfect in both starts at 2.
From the first crop of Dubawi's son Makfi, Make Believe was bred in Great Britain by Aston Mullins Stud. His dam is the winning Suave Dancer mare Rosie's Posey, who also produced a Dubawi half sister in 2011 Gamely Stakes (gr. I) and Yellow Ribbon (gr. I) winner Dubawi Heights. Rosie's Posey is a half sister to group I-winning sprinter Tante Rose.
Offered at the 2012 Tattersalls December foal sale, Hugo Merry Bloodstock bought Make Believe from his breeder's consignment for 180,000 guineas ($288,738).