PLETCHER may have two in Preakness HEADLINE p. 7 NEWS For information about TDN, DELIVERED EACH NIGHT BY FAX AND FREE BY E-MAIL TO SUBSCRIBERS OF call 732-747-8060. www.thoroughbreddailynews.com MONDAY, MAY 14, 2007 IT’S IN THE STARS DARJINA FLOORS FINSCEAL It seems Aidan O=Brien can do little wrong. The She was second best in the betting at 4-1, but it was Ballydoyle bonanza continued apace at Longchamp Princess Zahra Aga Khan=s Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar) who yesterday when Derrick Smith=s Astronomer Royal came out on top in yesterday=s (Danzig) led home G1 Poule d=Essai des Pouliches a first, third and at Longchamp. The filly=s late fourth for O=Brien rattle denied G1 1000 Guineas in the G1 Poule heroine Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. d=Essai des Greeley) her Classic double in Poulains. Beaten the final stride. Taking her re- less than four cord to a perfect three-for- lengths when sixth three, G3 Prix de la Grotte win- Darjina (shadow roll) in the course-and- ner Darjina had to play catch-up www.racingpost.co.uk distance G3 Prix in the straight as the 5-6 de Fontainebleau crowd=s choice shook loose, but answered Christophe Apr. 15, the bay Soumillon=s every call to reel her in and earn a head was coupled with success. AShe=s a really lovely filly with a lot of class,@ Astronomer Royal (outside) Getty Images his barnmates at trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre commented after greeting 34-10. He came running wide and late under Colm his third Pouliches winner. AI was slightly worried when O=Donoghue to inhale Creachadoir (Ire) (King=s Best) and the rain came before the second race, as she is defi- was in command in the final yards for a half-length nitely much better on fast ground, but she quickened score. AThis horse ran very well in his trial and all of our brilliantly.@ Cont. p2 horses are improving from their first run,@ explained O=Brien, who was winning this Classic for the third CHELOKEE LIKELY TO SKIP PREAKNESS time. AThe horses are running consistently well and this Chelokee (Cherokee Run) will likely skip Saturday=s GI is a big thing for Colm, who was very confident after Preakness S. and be entered instead in the Barbaro S. riding him here last time.@ Cont. p2 on the Classic undercard. ARight now, I think that we=re leaning toward going in the Barbaro S.,@ trainer Michael Sunday, Longchamp, France Matz confirmed yesterday. Cont. p7 POULE D=ESSAI DES POULAINS-G1, i400,000, Longchamp, 5-13, 3yo, c, 1mT, 1:37.10, gd. 1--#@sASTRONOMER ROYAL, 128, c, 3, by Danzig 1st Dam: Sheepscot (SW, $153,446), by Easy Goer 2nd Dam: Escrow Agent, by El Gran Senor 3rd Dam: Viva Sec, by Secretariat O-Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier; B-ClassicStar LLC; T-Aidan O=Brien; J-Colm O=Donoghue; i228,560. Lifetime Record: 4 starts, 2 wins, 1 place, i241,241. *1/2 to Navesink River (Unbridled), GSW, $331,105. 2--Creachadoir (Ire), 128, c, 3, King=s Best--Sadima (Ire), by Sadler=s Wells. (i83,000 yrl >05 TATIRE). O-Mrs J Bolger; B-F Dunne; T-Jim Bolger; i91,440. 3--Honoured Guest (Ire), 128, c, 3, Danehill--Wind Silence, by A.P. Indy. O-Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Susan Magnier; B-King Bloodstock; T-Aidan O=Brien; i45,720. Margins: HF, 1HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.40, 7.00, 7.60. Also Ran: Excellent Art (GB), Thousand Words (GB), Followmyfootsteps, Spirit One (Fr), Visionario (Ire), Battle Paint, Stoneside (Ire). Also Ran (not classified): Mastership (Ire), Tariq (GB), Brave Tin Soldier, Dijeerr. www.overbrookfarm.com TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 5/14/07 • PAGE 2 of 7 Poule d=Essai des Poulains cont. Sunday, Longchamp, France Astronomer Royal had an inconspicuous start to his POULE D=ESSAI DES POULICHES-G1, i400,000, career when second in a Naas maiden Longchamp, 5-13, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:37.20, gd. in July and when taken to Newbury to 1--sDARJINA (FR), 126, f, 3, by Zamindar break his maiden the following month. 1st Dam: Darinska (Ire) (GSP-Fr), by Zilzal Shipped in for his trial in the 2nd Dam: Daralbayda (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire) Fontainebleau here, he failed to strike a 3rd Dam: Daralinsha, by Empery serious blow despite running with O/B-Princess Zahra Aga Khan; T-Alain de credit, as last year=s Poulains winner Royer-Dupre; J-Christophe Soumillon; i228,560. Aussie Rules had done in the same Lifetime Record: 3 starts, 3 wins, i285,060. race 12 months ago. Held up in rear 2--Finsceal Beo (Ire), 126, f, 3, Mr. Greeley--Musical early off the moderate tempo set by Treat (Ire), by Royal Academy. (i340,000 yrl >05 Battle Paint (Tale of the Cat), he had GOFORB). O-Michael Ryan; B-Rathbarry Stud; T-Jim the majority of his rivals still ahead at Bolger; i91,440. the top of the false straight before be- 3--Rahiyah, 126, f, 3, Rahy--Meiosis, by Danzig. ing unleashed widest of all approach- O-Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum; Getty Images ing the quarter pole. Driving into B-Darley; T-Jeremy Noseda; i45,720. Creachadoir and Kevin Manning=s ad- Margins: HD, 1HF, 2HF. Odds: 4.00, 1.80, 30.00. vantage with every stride, he rolled by that rival in the Also Ran: Costume (GB), Peace Dream (Fr), Sesmen final 75 yards and was beyond recall as Jamie Spencer (GB), Bicoastal, Sander Camillo, Fairy Dress, Zut Alors struggled for room on the race=s hard-luck story Excel- (Ire). Also Ran (not classified): I Should Care (Fr), Iron lent Art (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). AWe have lots of options with our colts, as most are showing Group 1 form,@ Lips (GB), Galaxie des Sables (Fr). O=Brien added. AThis colt is certainly one for the G1 St Darjina arrived at the Apr. 15 G3 Prix de la Grotte James=s Palace S. [at Royal Ascot June 19], as the with just a Saint-Cloud conditions success to her name, others behind him could be.@ Click for the Racing Post but the homebred carried a substantial reputation into chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. the race and emerged with it enhanced. Settled in rear off the strong early fractions, the bay traveled smoothly TDN TODAY to the top of the home straight before quickening out wide. Finsceal Beo had been committed by Kevin Man- Headline News.................... 7 pages ning at the quarter pole and had an apparently safe cushion approaching the eighth pole, but despite her game effort she could not match the momentum of Darjina in the final drive. AI am certain she will stay further, so we have options,@ her trainer added. AShe is in the G1 Coronation S. [at Royal Ascot June 22], or she could go for the G1 Prix de Diane [French Oaks] at This past November Mares In Foal to Chantilly June 10.@ Finsceal Beo=s trainer Jim Bolger Three Time Grade One Winner was not downcast after seeing his star filly run out of a SOUTHERN IMAGE unique achievement. AShe has run a good race, but Kevin [Manning] said the ground affected her speed,@ Sold for: $410,000, $200,000, etc. he told PA Sport. AIt all went well, but the shower 2007 STUD FEE: $15,000 before racing didn=t help at all. She was very well com- A Taylor Made/WinStar Venture at Taylor Made • taylormadestallions.com ing here and was two kilos heavier then before Newmarket, so that race can=t have taken anything out HENDRIE S. Strike Softly (Smart Strike) powers clear of her. It=s on to the Curragh now [for the May 27 G1 late. Irish 1000 Guineas], where hopefully she will get faster RAILBIRD S. Ashley=s Kitty (Tale of the Cat) claws her ground.@ Click for the Racing Post chart or the free way to victory. brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. TDN P HEADLINE NEWS • 5/14/07 • PAGE 3 of 7 Sunday, Rome, Italy Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland PREMIO PRESIDENTE DELLA REPUBBLICA AT THE DERRINSTOWN STUD DERBY TRIAL S.-G2, i125,000, RACES-G1, i324,000, Rome, 5-13, 4yo/up, 1 1/4mT, Leopardstown, 5-13, 3yo, 1 1/4mT, 2:07.90, gd/fm. 2:00.40, gd. 1--#@ARCHIPENKO, 127, c, 3, by Kingmambo 1--DISTANT WAY, 128, h, 6, by Distant View 1st Dam: Bound (SW & GISP, $339,744), by Nijinsky II 1st Dam: Grey Way (GSW-Ity, GSP-US, $173,449), 2nd Dam: Special, by Forli (Arg) by Cozzene 3rd Dam: Thong, by Nantallah 2nd Dam: Northern Naiad (Fr), by Nureyev O-Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier; B-Eagle Holdings; 3rd Dam: Fascintaing Trick, by Buckpasser T-A O=Brien; J-M Kinane; i81,250. Lifetime Record: (i100,000 yrl >02 ITYSEP). O-Allevamento La Nuova 4-2-1-0, i96,995. *1/2 to Limit (Cox=s Ridge), SW & Sbarra SRL; B-Grundy Bloodstock Ltd; T-Fabio & GSP; and Liable (Seeking the Gold), MSP, $235,021. Lorenzo Brogi; J-Mirco Demuro; i180,000. Lifetime 2--Yellowstone (Ire), 127, c, 3, Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)-- Record: 31-17-5-3, i821,793. Love and Affection, by Exclusive Era. (60,000gns yrl 2--Pressing (Ire), 128, c, 4, Soviet Star--Rafif, by >05 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Riverman. (i35,000 yrl >04 ITYSEP). O-Scuderia Zaro Susan Magnier; B-Tullamaine Castle Stud & Partners; SRL; B-Agricola del Parco; T-Roberto Feligioni; T-Aidan O=Brien; i25,000.