NEWS
Lope de Vega completes French classic double
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010 2:49 PM
by Mike Curry
Lope de Vega drove to a dominant three-length victory in the Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-G1) (French Derby) on Sunday at Chantilly to give his connections a classic double.
The Shamardal colt won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1) (French Two Thousand Guineas) on May 16 at Longchamp. Andre Fabre, who trains Lope de Vega for owner-breeder Dietrich von Boetticher’s Gestut Ammerland, was concerned prior to the French Derby about the colt’s ability to handle the 2,100-meter (10.44-furlong) distance. Lope de Vega passed the challenge with ease on Sunday.
He stalked pacesetter Vivre Libre comfortably early and shifted gears with about 600 meters remaining when Maxime Guyon let out a notch on the reins. Lope de Vega surged well clear and never was seriously challenged en route to an easy win in 2:07.10 on turf rated as soft.
"I had a doubt about him staying, he is from a Machiavellian family so there was a question mark there,” Fabre told England’s Press Association.
Fabre said he might target the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois (Fr-G1) on August 15 at Deauville for Lope de Vega.
"I am tempted to drop him back to a mile for the Marois,” the trainer said. “There is a little doubt [about his stamina], so it is better to run over too short than too far.”
Guyon, who earned his first classic victory in the French Two Thousand Guineas, thought he had a great chance entering the French Derby, but even he was shocked by how easily Lope de Vega put away his 21 challengers.
"I was on the French Two Thousand Guineas winner, so I knew I was on a good horse and I knew he would run well,” Guyon told England’s Press Association. “It was a surprise that no one came to me to give chase in the straight.
"I have ridden some very good horses, but this horse is special as he has won over seven furlongs, a mile, and a mile and a quarter. I don't know where he will stop."
Irish-bred Lope de Vega improved to four wins from six starts. He is out of Group 1-placed group stakes winner Lady Vettori, by Vettori.
"This is an incredible surprise, and I thought the horse would have to battle to make the distance,” von Boetticher told England’s Press Association.
Planteur was unable to match strides with the winner but edged Pain Perdu by three-quarters of a length for second. Cape Blanco bumped with an opponent in the straight and finished tenth as the favorite.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
