by Franco Raimondi

Schiaparelli, winner of the 2006 BMW 137 Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1), returned to top form 364 days after his classic triumph with a win in the $214,334 Deutschland Preis (Ger-Gr1) after a breathtaking battle with the favorite Conillon on Sunday at Dusseldorf.

Jockey Andrasch Starke forced the pace after the first turn as Schiaparelli seized the lead from Conillon with First Stream in third in the six-horse field.

Oriental Tiger moved outside but faded quickly on the final turn, and Schiaparelli and Conillon opened a clear advantage entering in the stretch.

Under a strong ride from Starke, Schiaparelli turned off the desperate challenge of Conillon to win by a nose as the 2.90-to-1 second choice. He completed 2,400 meters (11.93 furlongs) in 2:31.26 on turf rated as good.

“Andrasch Starke rode a beautiful race,” said winning trainer Peter Schiergen, who conditions Schiaparelli for owner Stall Blankensee. “Schiaparelli could go for the [Sparkasse KolnBonn] Rheinland-Pokal (Ger-G1) at Koln or straight to Baden Baden for the [Mercedes Benz] Grosser Preis (Ger-G2).”

First Stream finished 3 1/2 lengths back in third.

Andreas Wohler, who trains Conillon, offered no excuses for his colt.

“I don’t want to watch Conillon in the lead, unless Schiaparelli slowed the pace,” Wohler said. “Conillon ran a very good race and he has room for much improvement. He is still a big baby. He will run just once this season because I think he can be a very good as a four-year-old.”

Schiaparelli, by the leading sire Monsun, improved to seven wins in 11 starts.

Out of two-time German Broodmare of the Year Sacarina, Schiaparelli is a full brother to 2000 German Derby winner and sire Samum and 2002 Osterman Preis der Diana (Ger-G1) (German Oaks) winner Salve Regina.

Franco Raimondi is a Europe-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent