Prix Morny + Prix Jean Romanet in focus

Deauville, Sunday, August 21: Great sport comes once again today from Deauville, where the Prix Morny (2nd race/14.33 hrs/350,000 euros/1200 m) will decide the first Group 1 race. All of the five two-year-old participants are prepared abroad. Persian Force (Frankie Dettori), from Richard Hannon`s quarters, enters as the favorite after taking honors in the Phoenix Stakes (Group 1). The Aidan O`Brien-trained Blackbeard (Ryan Moore) and The Antarctic (Ioritz Mendizabal) recently distinguished themselves in the Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) in the first two places. The latter came in well behind the winning The Ridler (Christophe Soumillon) in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). Manhattan Jungle (Tony Piccone) was the only mare in the field to finish second when The Antarctic won the Prix de Cabourg (Group 3).

The four-year-old and older mares will contest the Prix Jean Romanet (4th race/15.50pm/250,000 euros/2000m). Andre Fabre`s Burgarita (Maxime Guyon) is in line to win after four honors in a row. She must be particularly wary of Aristia (Sean Levey), who caused a fistful of surprises in the Nassau (Group 1) when she finished second. At York, the Hannon mare finished second again and behind her ended Ville de Grace (Ryan Moore), who before that battled for silver in the Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) with Ebaiyra (Christophe Soumillon). Verry Elleegant (Frankie Dettori) brought strong form from Australia.