Two weeks after Coroebus' emphatic victory in the 2,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) victor Modern Games drove to a powerful victory Sunday in the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) at Longchamp, providing owner-breeder Godolphin and sire Dubawi a coveted classics double.
Making his season debut for trainer Charlie Appleby after securing the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November, Modern Games stumbled at the start of the French Guineas before closely tracking pacesetter Texas. Jockey William Buick guided him into striking position with a quarter mile to run and he snatched the lead from Texas just over a furlong out and went on the score by 1 ¼ lengths from that rival, who was simply outrun in closing stages.
Time for 1,600 meters (about one mile) was 1:34.98 on turf rated as good to soft.
Godolphin-owned Tribalist, trained by Andre Fabre, was third in the field of 15 runners.
Modern Games enjoyed a dramatic rise during the second half of last season, winning four of his six starts, including Tattersalls Somerville Stakes (G3) last September at Newmarket in his start prior to the Breeders' Cup. He won the Juvenile Turf by 1 1/2 lengths from Kentucky Derby (G1) starter Tiz the Bomb.
Appleby indicated that Modern Games could be aimed for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (G1) June 5 at Chantilly for his next start
Irish-bred Modern Games, who was produced by the New Approach mare Modern Ideals, a half sister to French champion Ultra, is one of 49 individual Grade 1 or Group 1 winners for Darley sire Dubawi, who is moving close to 150 graded or group winners overall.
Longchamp's Sunday card also included the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) (G1), which was won by Mangoustine, who prevailed by a head over English 1,000 Guineas (G1) victress Cachet in thrilling finish. Cachet outfinished third-place finisher Times Square by a short head.
A daughter of Dark Angel owned by Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie Des Monceaux et. al, and trained by Mikel Delzangles, Mangoustine covered one mile in 1:35.72 under Gerald Mosse.
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