Lope de Vega's Sweet Lady On Top in the Prix Corrida

Gemini Stud's Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}–High Heel Sneakers {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) posted a career high in October's G3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud and lined up for Tuesday's G3 Prix Corrida back over the same 10 1/2-furlong distance at the Paris venue returning off a second in April's Listed Prix Lord Seymour at ParisLongchamp. The 5-2 second favourite adopted her usual patient tactics and was positioned off the tempo in fifth for the most part. Nudged along to close with 500 metres remaining, she quickened in smart fashion to launch her challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to assert superiority. Last term's Listed Prix La Camargo victrix and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches fourth hit the line with a half-length advantage from Burgarita (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

“She is a very smart filly who is much more mature than she was last season,” explained trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “We did well to run her over one-and-a-half miles last time to teach her more about how to settle and the experience did her a lot of good. We also we made the right decision to pass on the G3 Prix d'Hedouville and wait for this race. If only because we avoided fast ground and hot temperatures. The softer it is, the better it is for her and we are convinced that the second half of the season will give her more opportunities.  She will be entered in the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud here and the [G1 Prix] Jean Romanet at Deauville, but there will be no rush to run if conditions are not suitable. The [G1] Yorshire Oaks are also a possibility and of course she is entered in the [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We will take the time we need to decide what is next and, for the time being, she has enriched her resume and we're delighted.”

Sweet Lady is the last reported foal produced by Listed River Eden S. victrix and G2 May Hill S. runner-up High Heel Sneakers (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who also produced Listed Oaks Trial winner Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Sweet Lady's third dam Charmie Carmie (Lyphard) is the dam of MG1SW Peruvian champion Faaz (Fappiano) and her descendants also include G1 SA Fillies' Classic heroine Zaitoon (SAf) (Count Dubois {GB}). Charmie Carmie is kin to MGISW American Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Chris Evert (Swoon's Son), whose own descendants are headed by Belmont S.-winning sire Chief's Crown (Danzig), GI Frizette S. and GI Gazelle S. heroine Classic Crown (Mr. Prospector) and MGISW dual GI Beldame S. victrix Sightseek (Distant View). Charmie Carmie is also kin to stakes-winning GI Delaware Oaks third All Rainbows (Bold Hour), herself the dam of GI Kentucky Derby heroine and MGISW US champion Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}).

Tuesday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-24, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT, 2:14.11, sf.
1–SWEET LADY (FR), 126, f, 4, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: High Heel Sneakers (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW-US, GSP-Fr, SP-Ity, $212,137), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Sundae Girl, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Charmie Carmie, by Lyphard
(€100,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Gemini Stud; B-Stratford Place Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-0, €228,200. *1/2 to Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Burgarita (GB), 126, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Angelita (Ire), by Alzao. (95,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Ecurie Ama.Zingteam; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €28,650.
3–Amazing Grace (Ger), 126, f, 4, Protectionist (Ger)–Amabelle (Ger), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Dr Christoph Berglar (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €13,650.
Margins: HF, 2, HF. Odds: 2.50, 1.50, 7.60.
Also Ran: Alaskasonne (Fr), Coeur Macen (Fr), Rumi (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.