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INTERNATIONAL DIARY JULY 3, 2010 Shergar. Manna. Slip Anchor. Troy. These are names to fire the imagination, all borne by the widest-margin winners of the Derby (Eng-G1) in the past century. Such noble names served to distill their charisma, as though summing up their very essence in a word. Now, their exclusive band is joined by one with a pedestrian moniker that obscures, rather than highlights, his brilliance. Far from conjuring up mysterious awe, his name smacks of dreary reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or worse still, notorious five-year plans under totalitarian regimes. His dam, after all, is Soviet Moon (Sadler's Wells). Though he bears the dull, faceless, collective name of WORKFORCE (King's Best), his heroics in the June 5 Derby have made this exceptional individual stand out from the crowd. While it was not surprising that the Juddmonte Farms homebred won at Epsom, the manner of his victory -- in just his third lifetime start -- was entirely unexpected. Not only did Workforce romp by seven lengths, in a display of raw power, but he also smashed the course record by almost a full second. Even his most ardent admirers couldn't have envisaged that kind of conquest, a scant three weeks after his comprehensive defeat at the hands of Aidan O'Brien's CAPE BLANCO (Galileo [Ire]) in the Dante S. (Eng-G2) at York. Indeed, Workforce's Dante loss is what made me question his chances in the Derby. I had looked forward to his reappearance there, for his debut triumph at Goodwood last September stamped him as a potential classic horse, and he could have taken a step forward in the Dante. As it turned out, his runner-up performance, during which he was clinging to his left lead and not striding out with any authority, suggested that he was too inexperienced to cope with the rigors of Epsom. True, the fact that the bit slipped through his mouth didn't help matters, but it would still take a fair amount of projection to think he could have challenged Cape Blanco. Workforce could have been regarded rather like Dubai Millennium -- a massively talented horse for whom the Derby came too soon. But I had reckoned without the master horsemanship of Sir Michael Stoute. Under his handling, a stunning transformation occurred in those three weeks. The Workforce who showed up at Epsom was a new and dramatically improved model, complete with a new bridle with a crossed noseband to prevent a repetition of the bit folly. Unlike the gangly colt who seemed nonplussed at York, the Epsom version of Workforce was a thorough professional. After racing among horses in midpack, he made rapid headway by the top of the stretch, about the same time that O'Brien's 100-1 pacemaker AT FIRST SIGHT (Galileo [Ire]) had left his nearest pursuers for dead. Workforce was the only one who could prevent the monumental upset, and he swooped to restore order. Considering the sustained moves that Workforce made, first to reach the front of the main body of the field, and then to overtake At First Sight, he should have slackened his pace a little inside the final furlong of the 1 1/2-mile test. Instead, he actually seemed to build momentum. The farther he went, the stronger he got, and his gigantic stride never shortened all the way to the wire. This was a serious, world-class, historic effort -- no matter that the pacemaker held second from Godolphin's REWILDING (Tiger Hill), or that 9-4 favorite JAN VERMEER (Montjeu [Ire]) threw two shoes en route to finishing fourth, or that MIDAS TOUCH (Galileo [Ire]) kept switching leads as though uncomfortable with Epsom's camber. Sure, the O'Brien duo of Jan Vermeer and Midas Touch are both better than they showed on Derby Day, but they'd need to be more than 11 lengths better to make a race of it if they meet their conqueror again. And Workforce has untold scope for further progress himself. Workforce will now follow the path of Lammtarra, the 1995 Derby hero whose course record he obliterated. The July 24 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot is next on the agenda, setting up not one, but two terrific clashes. Workforce will meet older horses for the first time, including his stablemate HARBINGER (Dansili [GB]). Unbeaten from three starts this season, all in group company, Harbinger came close to Ascot's 1 1/2-mile course mark himself when destroying his rivals in the June 19 Hardwicke S. (Eng-G2) at the Royal meeting. The King George will also serve up a grudge match with Cape Blanco, who rebounded from an abject 10th in the June 6 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1) to capture last Sunday's Irish Derby (Ire-G1). His Ballydoyle stablemates At First Sight, Midas Touch and Jan Vermeer were all on hand at the Curragh, and neatly reversed their Epsom form. Johnny Murtagh chose wisely to abandon Jan Vermeer in favor of Cape Blanco at the Curragh. At First Sight, who had already failed to duplicate his Epsom feat when a well-beaten fourth behind MONTEROSSO (Dubawi) in the June 18 King Edward VII S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot, played a stalking role when wheeling back on short rest in the Irish Derby. He was soon brushed aside by Midas Touch, who rolled past the pace factors turning for home and seized command. Jan Vermeer made a move to threaten briefly on the inside before stalling, but Cape Blanco loomed more menacingly on the outside. Although Cape Blanco appeared ready to strike, Midas Touch proved a stubborn foe, and he forced his better-fancied stablemate to pull out a bit extra. Cape Blanco duly prevailed by a workmanlike half-length, with Midas Touch 1 1/2 lengths clear of Jan Vermeer. King Edward VII winner Monterosso checked in another length adrift fourth, again defeating fifth-placer At First Sight. Cape Blanco thus answered concerns about his ability to stay the 1 1/2-mile trip. On the other hand, he wasn't exactly scintillating either, and the top three were covered by a grand total of two lengths. If an in-form Workforce had lined up in the Irish Derby, it's difficult to escape the conclusion that he would have won handsomely. Cape Blanco had created a much more striking visual impression when landing the about 10 1/2-furlong Dante, so he could still be better over the shorter distance. The King George will provide the acid test, and we can only hope that all of the principals remain sound and healthy for the showdown. In the wake of his Irish Derby success, Cape Blanco's only career loss in the French Derby appears all the more inscrutable. He met some trouble in the stretch when engaged in a barging match, but he was already out of the picture at that point, and nowhere near challenging the smashing winner, LOPE DE VEGA (Shamardal). The Andre Fabre pupil, who had employed come-from-behind tactics to score in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1), showed his versatility to stalk the pacemaker before pouncing in the French Derby. Lope de Vega's hand was forced by his dreadful post, for he was marooned in post 20, and he burst out of the gate and angled over to secure good early position. Taking charge on the far turn and entering the stretch still on cruise control, Lope de Vega stormed clear to make mincemeat of a strong field. The well-regarded PLANTEUR (Danehill Dancer) was in a good spot just behind him, but could not live with the winner's terrific turn of foot and crossed the wire a respectful three lengths in his wake. Planteur shaped up like the type to excel at 1 1/2 miles, and the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) on Bastille Day is a logical spot for the Elie Lellouche trainee. Likely to await him there is another of the Fabre squadron, GOLDWAKI (Dalakhani), who remained perfect from four starts as a sophomore with a smart victory in the June 13 Prix du Lys (Fr-G3). Lope de Vega thus turned the came French Guineas/Derby double accomplished by his sire, Shamardal. Despite his emphatic score in the 10 1/2-furlong French Derby, Fabre indicated that he would revert to one mile. He wasted no time in making good on this promise: Lope de Vega returns to action in Sunday's Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1) over a mile at Chantilly. Three of his Jean Prat rivals -- DICK TURPIN (Arakan), HEARTS OF FIRE (Firebreak) and SIYOUNI (Pivotal) -- chased CANFORD CLIFFS (Tagula) home in the June 15 St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. A strangely run race in which the Ballydoyle pacemaker broke slowly and couldn't ever get to the front, the St James's Palace enhanced Canford Cliffs' claim to be Europe's premier three-year-old miler, without rendering it positively conclusive. Once again traveling smoothly off the pace, the Richard Hannon colt was still on the bridle when his rivals were beginning to toil in the stretch. Canford Cliffs sliced through a gap to mow down his stablemate, the long-suffering Dick Turpin, who was finishing second in his third straight Group 1 event. Another three-quarters of a length back was the unfortunate Hearts of Fire. Under pressure in midstretch, Hearts of Fire began to pick up, only to steady in tight quarters along the inside. He had to alter course and come around horses, yet still finished boldly for third. With a clean trip, Hearts of Fire would have been closer, but it would be going well beyond the evidence to believe that he could have upset Canford Cliffs. French invader Siyouni somehow wound up rallying down the center of the course, well away from the main action, for fourth. With a different ride, the Aga Khan's colorbearer might have done better as well. Ken McPeek's NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) was in the hunt in midstretch before reporting home fifth in a fine effort, but MAKFI (Dubawi), the upset winner of the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) over Canford Cliffs and Dick Turpin, was a non-threatening seventh. Since I had doubted the face value of his Guineas win, and declared myself for Canford Cliffs in my last diary, I felt smugly satisfied that Makfi was put back in his place at Royal Ascot. As it turns out, the St James's Palace was anything but a true reflection of his ability. Makfi was sick with an inflamed throat, and subsequently treated with antibiotics. So much for my premature verdict. Makfi may still prove me totally wrong about him. Dick Turpin, runner-up in the English and French Guineas earlier this season, will renew rivalry with Lope de Vega in the Jean Prat, hoping to break through at the top level at last. Hearts of Fire and Siyouni will also represent the St James's Palace form on Sunday, and Siyouni in particular could return to his best back on home soil. XTENSION (Xaar), fourth in the English Guineas and fifth to Canford Cliffs in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) last out, is another who could compliment Canford Cliffs here. The obscurely-bred SORMIOU (Califet [Fr]), who garnered the June 13 Prix Paul de Moussac (Fr-G3) at this course and distance, will look to perfect his Cinderella story, while Godolphin's FROZEN POWER (Oasis Dream [GB]) bids to follow up on his victory in the May 24 German Two Thousand Guineas (Ger-G2) for Mahmood al Zarooni. In a similar vein, the three-year-old filly miler picture was clarified to a degree by the June 18 Coronation S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot, but again, not totally settled. The O'Brien-trained LILLIE LANGTRY (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) reeled in the front-running GILE NA GREINE (Galileo [Ire]) and drew clear by 1 1/4 lengths, rewarding all of her loyalists who never lost faith in her. Lillie Langtry had sustained a knee fracture in her thoroughly uncharacteristic eighth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last fall. After surgery, she wasn't ready to return until the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1), where she rattled home for a close fifth. Lillie Langtry promised to move forward second time out, and she did so in spades. The Coronation turned the Irish Guineas form on its head. ANNA SALAI (Dubawi), who had missed by a head at the Curragh, failed to do herself justice at Royal Ascot and wound up seventh. MUSIC SHOW (Noverre), just touched off in third in Ireland, didn't have much luck with an outside trip in the Coronation and checked in fourth. At the same time, the Coronation result flattered dual Guineas heroine SPECIAL DUTY (Hennessy) in absentia. JACQUELINE QUEST (Rock of Gibraltar [Ire]), who had finished first in the One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket but was then disqualified for bothering Special Duty, proved that was no fluke with a solid third in the Coronation. Gile Na Greine was herself a narrowly-beaten third to Special Duty and Jacqueline Quest at Newmarket. So, who is the best among them? I'm still ambivalent about Special Duty, who needed the help of the stewards to claim both the English and French One Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1). I'm inclined to give Lillie Langtry the edge, but have the nagging thought that she might want to step up to a longer trip already. Thankfully, Wednesday's Falmouth S. (Eng-G1) at Newmarket should provide an answer. Special Duty, Lillie Langtry, Gile Na Greine and Music Show will all square off, along with the up-and-coming RAINFALL (Oasis Dream [GB]), who beat males in the June 16 Jersey S. (Eng-G3) at Royal Ascot, and a quartet of older distaffers. STRAWBERRYDAIQUIRI (Dansili [GB]) and SPACIOUS (Nayef) put on a riveting duel in the June 16 Windsor Forest S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot, with the former coming again bravely to score. LAHALEEB (Ire) (Redback), who stunned last year's E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1) at Woodbine, reverts to female company and cuts back in trip after competing with top-class males in Dubai and Singapore. It's not just the sophomore filly milers who are still to be sorted out; the 1 1/2-mile set is also open to interpretation. The June 4 Oaks (Eng-G1) at Epsom lacked a clear standout going in, and even though the supplemented SNOW FAIRY (Intikhab) exploded late to recoup her owner's investment, she's not unimpeachable. The Ed Dunlop trainee was a doubtful stayer on pedigree, she had been beaten at the Group 3 level last season, she had not been nominated to any prestigious races, and she earned her way into the Oaks with a visually impressive triumph in the Height of Fashion S. over a suspect group -- hardly an inspiring profile. To be fair, Snow Fairy is definitely on the upswing, and it remains to be seen how much improvement she still has inside her. On the negative side, the Oaks pace was not terribly demanding, and Snow Fairy was arguably helped when it turned into a mad dash for the line. She also doubtless benefited from having a lot more racecourse experience than the runner-up, maiden romper MEEZNAH (Dynaformer). Making only her fourth career start, the royally-bred filly threatened to win the Oaks in deep stretch, but ran a shade greenly. Snow Fairy wasn't maintaining her balance on the camber either, and ducked in alarmingly, but she had seasoning and street smarts to fall back on. Meeznah didn't, and it showed. Even so, Meeznah regrouped and fought back, but Snow Fairy denied her by a neck. The two could get a rematch in the July 18 Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), where Meeznah's likely improvement should help her to gain revenge. Whether through inexperience or lack of stamina, REMEMBER WHEN (Danehill Dancer) faded to third in the Oaks after launching a good-looking bid. O'Brien cut her back to 10 furlongs in the June 26 Pretty Polly S. (Ire-G1) versus her elders, but the three-quarter sister to Dylan Thomas (Ire) could never get involved and wound up fourth. The top three finishers were in a race by themselves from flag-fall to the wire, with CHINESE WHITE (Dalakhani) getting up to earn a well-deserved Group 1 laurel. The mare, who is in foal to Cape Cross (Ire), retires on top. RUMOUSH (Rahy), fourth in the Oaks at Epsom, is another who is likely better than she showed that day. From the family of Nashwan et al., the Marcus Tregoning filly suffered interference in the rough-run race. Snow Fairy didn't have the cleanest trip either, and deserves credit for coping best on the day, but a level playing field could produce a different result. The jury's still out. There is no such uncertainty about the French scene, though. The Aga Khan's SARAFINA (Refuse to Bend [Ire]) continued her uninterrupted ascent with an effortless victory in the June 13 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1). With Christophe Lemaire just giving her a smack or two to keep her focused, the Alain de Royer-Dupre filly was not fully extended to defeat her stablemate ROSANARA (Sinndar) by a comfortable 1 1/2 lengths. The margin was not indicative of her superiority. Now unbeaten from three starts, Sarafina will aim for the September 12 Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1). Her form was boosted on the other side of the Channel when Godolphin's HIBAAYEB (Singspiel [Ire]), third to Sarafina in the Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-G1), came back to thrash her opponents in the June 17 Ribblesdale S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. Rosanara could offer Sarafina an even greater tribute in the Irish Oaks: if the second string beats the flower of the British Isles, we'll all know where we stand. The queen of French racing unquestionably remains GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa). The two-time Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) star confirmed her exalted status with a score over males in the June 15 Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Ridden to perfection by Olivier Peslier, the Freddy Head mare stalked the pace, accelerated into the lead, and staved off a gallant charge from PACO BOY (Desert Style) by a measured neck. A confirmed closer, Paco Boy was at a tactical disadvantage against the mighty Goldikova, and she was never going to let him forget it. Even if he had tried to lie closer, or move sooner, such tactical adjustments may well have compromised his final flourish. As a result, Paco Boy did as well -- perhaps even better -- as might have been expected. Hopefully this will put to rest the rubbish about his not being a "real" Group 1 performer. They were well clear of the remainder, including RIP VAN WINKLE (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]), who folded tamely to sixth in his comeback. Goldikova is expected to reappear at Deauville. If she mounts a title defense in the August 15 Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1), she would likely face classic heroes Lope de Vega and Makfi. Goldikova's form was upheld the next day at Royal Ascot when BYWORD (Peintre Celebre), runner-up to her in the Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1), capitalized on an ideal stalk-and-pounce trip to land the 1 1/4-mile Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1). In contrast, fellow Juddmonte homebred TWICE OVER (GB) (Observatory) had too much of a deficit to overcome, but flew home for an eye-catching second. The Fabre-trained Byword could revert to a mile for another clash with Goldikova in the Marois. Twice Over, based with Henry Cecil, will seek compensation in Saturday's Eclipse S. (Eng-G1). His chief rival promises to be the mare DAR RE MI (GB) (Singspiel [Ire]), last seen landing the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). If she prevails, the John Gosden trainee would provide a parting gift to her sire, who just died Friday. Elsewhere on the distaff scene, SARISKA (Pivotal) finished an admirable second to the classy male FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]) in the June 4 Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom. Sariska looked to be going the better of the two as she accosted Fame and Glory in the stretch, but last year's Irish Derby star had more up his sleeve and pulled away again to rack up his third straight success. The hard-luck veteran YOUMZAIN (Sinndar), who was fourth to Fame and Glory in the Coronation Cup, was denied by a nostril in last Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1) by Fabre's four-year-old filly PLUMANIA (Anabaa). Poised just off the pacesetter before striking, Plumania made the most of a tactically brilliant ride by Peslier to hang on from the fast-finishing Youmzain, with the Aga Khan's DARYAKANA (Selkirk) a short neck away in third. Like Goldikova, Plumania is a Wertheimer & Frere homebred. STACELITA (Monsun), last year's French Oaks queen who was a remote fourth to Goldikova in the d'Ispahan, regained the winning thread with a front-running, 1 1/4-length decision over males in the June 14 La Coupe (Fr-G3). Owned by Martin Schwartz and trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Stacelita has the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) as her long-term goal. She could venture to Glorious Goodwood for the July 31 Nassau S. (Eng-G1) back against fellow females. Reigning Filly & Mare Turf heroine MIDDAY (GB) (Oasis Dream [GB]) has not raced since her runner-up effort to Sariska in the May 13 Middleton S. (Eng-G2) at York, recounted in my last diary. At this writing, I've yet to see any news of her, or what Cecil has planned for her next. Finally, although sprinters are a bit outside my normal beat, I must tip my imaginary cap to America's very own KINSALE KING (Yankee Victor), who did us proud with his tremendous third to STARSPANGLEDBANNER (Choisir) in the June 20 Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot in his first turf start. His international renown is a credit to trainer Carl O'Callaghan.
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