Desert Blanc takes Prix du Pin in third start of comeback

Desert Blanc (right), last year’s Manhattan winner, is back after a brief stint at stud (NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography) The un-retired Desert Blanc struck top form in his comeback in Sunday’s Group 3 Prix du Pin at Longchamp. Previously with Pascal Bary, Desert Blanc made his name under Chad Brown’s auspices when second in the Fort Marcy and successful in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park last summer before a tendon injury brought his career to a halt. Purchased by Maxime Jarlan for a stud career at Haras du Hoguenet, he was bred to only three mares and the decision was made to re-enter training with Christian Baillet. Straight back in the winning groove in a seven-furlong conditions race for female jockeys at Compiegne July 22, the son of Desert Style was third in an amateur riders’ race over that trip at Clairefontaine August 24. Drawn unfavorably wide in this race delayed by Monsieur Playboy breaking through the stalls, he was able to employ some tactical pace to race a little worse than mid-division throughout the early stages. Starting his move on the outside in early stretch, he wore down Mayyadah in the final stride to confirm his return to the main stage. “I got him in February and he has been progressive and showed me that he retains his ability,” his trainer commented. “He has also won a Group race in France, which is important and we decided a long time ago that he would run in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (at Longchamp October 5). That is the only race he is entered in on Arc weekend, and that is where he will go.”

Also at Longchamp on Sunday, the attention focused mainly on Decathlete and
Daraybi in the Group 3 Prix la Rochette, but Niarchos homebred Karakontie came
out best in this classics pointer.

Successful on debut over this trip on very soft ground at Compiegne at the
start of July, the bay lost out by just a short head to the Richard
Hannon-trained Bunker in Deauville’s Prix Francois Boutin over this
seven-furlong distance last time August 11. Held up in last early by Olivier
Peslier from his wide draw, the homebred marked Decathlete and had prime
position as that rival was committed on the front end with a furlong remaining.
Taking his measure inside the final 75 meters, he was pushed out to assert for a
snug success. Daraybi found his best stride too late after being boxed in for
much of the straight.

“I thought he was a very good horse from day one and his second race was
excellent and he had improved nicely since,” trainer Jonathan Pease commented.
“The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (at Longchamp October 6) is the target now.”

The Aga Khan’s broodmare band is seemingly able to produce at least one
top-class stayer in almost every crop of foals, and Valirann may be the latest
to emerge after mastering his rivals in the Prix de Lutece. Coming into this off
successes in a 12-furlong conditions race at Vichy July 15 and a more
competitive affair over a 1 11/16-mile trip at Deauville August 2, the bay
disputed the lead initially before accepting some cover by halfway. Shuffled
back by the home turn, he had some ground to make up, but when angled wide, was
able to produce a surge which took him past the spirited filly Lucky Look in the
shade of the post.

Connections are pointing toward the Prix Chaudenay back at this venue October
5.

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