By Sean Cronin
Ballymore Thoroughbred Racing's undefeated 3-year-old filly Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}–Painter's Pride {Fr}, by Dansili {GB}) delivered a spectacular winning debut last month, attaining 'TDN Rising Star' status with a four-length tally atop Chantilly's all-weather surface, and made a smooth transition into black-type company with an impressive pillar-to-post victory on the turf in Thursday's Listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud. The 1-2 favourite broke smartly and held sway throughout the 10-furlong contest. Unflustered and dominating into the straight, she was allowed an inch of rein soon after passing the quarter-mile marker and lengthened clear in effortless style in the latter stages to easily outclass toiling rivals by daylight. At the line, she was seven lengths too good for the overmatched Olkovskha (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), herself three lengths clear of Cracksmania (GB) (Cracksman {GB}).
“It was not the plan to make the running, but she has early speed and the idea was to travel handy,” explained rider Mickael Barzalona. “We found ourselves in front and she settled well and travelled smoothly. She is an easy ride, she does what you want and has a nice acceleration. You can feel that she still has a lot to learn, but what she has done so far is very good and most promising. She has all it takes to make a top filly and has a lot going for her, but still has a few steps to climb to get there.”
🌟 TDN Rising Star 🌟 https://t.co/UfJPHMc1yT
— TDN (@theTDN) March 9, 2023
Pensee Du Jour is the latest of three reported foals, all winners, produced by an unraced daughter of GII Long Island H.-winning matriarch Peinture Bleue (Alydar). The January-foaled homebred bay–who boasts entries in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Prix de Diane–is a half-sister to Group 3-winning G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen third Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal). Peinture Bleue, in turn, is responsible for a sextet of stakes performers, headed by MG1SW sire Peintre Celebre (Nureyev), G2 Prix de Pomone victrix Peinture Rare (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and G3 Prix de Barbeville winner Pointilliste (Giant's Causeway). Her many black-type descendants also include MG1SW dual South African champion Jet Dark (SAf) (Trippi).
Thursday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX ROSE DE MAI-Listed, €55,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-9, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:13.75, vsf.
1–PENSEE DU JOUR (IRE), 125, f, 3, by Camelot (GB)
1st Dam: Painter's Pride (Fr), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Peinture Bleue, by Alydar
3rd Dam: Petroleuse (Ire), by Habitat
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Ballymore Thoroughbred Racing; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €41,000. *1/2 to Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal), GSW & G1SP-UAE, $424,594.
2–Olkovskha (Fr), 125, f, 3, Zelzal (Fr)–Falcolina (Ire), by Falco. 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€29,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT; €60,000 2yo '22 OSAMAY). O-Alain Jathiere & Solomon Kumin; B-Jacques Jean, Laurent Jean & Mme Marie-Therese Jean (FR); T-Christophe Ferland. €11,000.
3–Cracksmania (GB), 125, f, 3, Cracksman (GB)–Panthelia (Fr), by Gentlewave (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Guy Pariente Holding (GB); T-Philippe Sogorb. €8,250.
Margins: 7, 3, 2. Odds: 0.50, 26.00, 6.60.
Also Ran: Avolta (Ire), Akagera (Fr), A Minardiere (Fr), Khahira (Fr), Romina Power (Fr), Carvana (GB). Scratched: Elusive Princess (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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