Cirrus des Aigles, We Are Win at Longchamp
Description:
Back at the top of his game, French star Cirrus des Aigles took control early in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr. I) May 25 at Longchamp and won comfortably from hard-trying Anodin.
The race was billed as a showdown between the winner and recent Al Shaqab Racing's JLT Lockinge (Eng-I) winner Olympic Glory, who could only manage fourth.
With Christophe Soumillon at the reins from trainer Corrine Barande-Barbe, Cirrus des Aigles broke well from the one hole and led throughout as Anodin and Olivier Peslier pressed from second. Cirrus des Aigles picked up the tempo a quarter mile out and Anodin gamely pursued but in vain. Cirrus des Aigles won by 1 1/2 lengths.
Pollyana finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind Anodin, who was seeking a first group I win. Olympic Glory checked in another three-quarters of a length back in his first attempt beyond a mile while making a quick return from his Lockinge win eight days ago at Newbury.
Coasting across the finished line under a hand ride, Cirrus des Aigles covered 1,850 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) in 1:57.98 on soft turf. The win was his second from three starts this season, and improved his record to 20-20-6 from 57 starts for owner Jean Claude-Alain Dupouy.
The 8-year-old gelding was a creditable second to Gentildonna in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) March 29 to start his 2014 campaign, then defeated Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner Treve in the Prix Ganay (Fr-I) April 24 at Longchamp.
Bred in France by Yvon Lelimouzin and Benoit Deschamps, Cirrus des Aigles is a son of Even Top out of the Septieme Ciel mare Taille de Guepe.
Also on the card, Pennsylvania-based owner-breeder George Strawbridge enjoyed a win in the Pou Moi Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-I) for 3-year-old fillies with We Are, who is unbeaten in three career starts.
The Irish-bred daughter of Dansili out of French group III winner In Clover, by Inchinor, raced in midfield early for Thierry Jarnet and took over from pacesetter Lady Penko over a furlong out. She won by three lengths from the Aga Khan's Sea The Stars filly Vazira, who after a troubled start suffered her first loss in three career outings.
Bereni Ka was another three lengths back in third in the eight-horse field.
We Are, who is trained by Freddie Head, was timed in 2:08.45 for 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Unraced at 2, she captured her debut April 10 at Longchamp and a race at Saint-Cloud May 1 before making her stakes debut Sunday.