Persian King out to rule again in Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois

Persian King bids to continue a superb summer as he tackles some of Europe’s top milers in the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville, France, on Sunday.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt drops back down in trip following a dominant victory in G1 Prix d’Ispahan over nine furlongs at Chantilly on Sunday, 19 July, when he stormed clear inside the final quarter-mile for an easy two-length success.

Persian King was also a convincing winner of the mile G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud at the end of June.

The son of Kingman has made seven appearances over a mile in total, scoring on six occasions including a length success on heavy ground in last year’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp.

Pierre-Charles Boudot takes the ride on Persian King, who faces six rivals including unbeaten three-year-old colt Palace Pier.

Owned by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Palace Pier is seeking a second straight G1 victory over a mile following a length success over Pinatubo in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Andre Fabre said: “Persian King is in great form and his preparation has been excellent. The ground is obviously a factor but, given the conditions, it will be a test for everyone.”

Consistent three-year-old Antoinette reverts to turf for the Saratoga Oaks over an extended nine furlongs at Saratoga, USA, on Sunday.

The Hard Spun filly has shown excellent versatility for trainer Bill Mott, finishing third on all four of her starts this year including a fine effort on dirt in the nine-furlong G1 Coaching Club American Oaks at the same course on Saturday, 18 July.

She previously placed in G3 company on turf in the Wonder Again Stakes over mile at Belmont Park in June and started her season with another excellent display in the G2 Fair Grounds Oaks over an extended mile on dirt at Fair Grounds in March.

John Velazquez partners Antoinette, who captured the Tepin Stakes on dirt at Aqueduct on her final juvenile start in December.

Godolphin US President Jimmy Bell said: “This looks a very evenly matched group, with no standout specialist over the trip, and you could probably throw a blanket over the field.

“Antoinette is a very versatile filly and Bill Mott sees her being forwardly placed in a position to strike, rather than coming from the clouds. It is a valuable pot, our filly is doing very well and we felt that it was worth taking a shot in an open race.”

Summer Scent aims to build on a breakthrough first Group-race success when she lines up in the G3 Kokura Kinen over a mile and a quarter at Kokura, Japan, on Sunday.

The four-year-old filly, who is trained by Takashi Saito, stayed on powerfully for an impressive three-quarter length verdict on her G3 debut in the Mermaid Stakes over the same distance at Hanshin on June 14.

She had previously recorded three victories in lesser company, headed by an all-the-way Stakes win in the 10-furlong Kitaoji Tokubetsu at Kyoto in January.

Harry Sweeney, President of Godolphin in Japan, said: “Summer Scent started largely under the radar in her last start in the G3 Mermaid Stakes. She wasn’t particularly accomplished compared to some of the other runners that day and indeed was still eligible to run in regular conditions races.

She started as only the seventh favourite in the market but surprised many by being prominent from the start and holding on for her first win in a Group race. However, she will be well marked on Sunday in the G3 Kokura Kinen and will be 2kg worse off as a consequence of her most recent win.

While she faced fillies and mares on her last start, she additionally will have to take on colts this time. She may find it a bit tougher and will need to have improved somewhat to record a second win. However, she is probably good enough to make the frame and we are expecting a good run.