Christophe Clement

In Greek mythology, Momos is "the personification of satire and mockery." In horse racing, Momos is a very talented and very fast son of Distorted Humor and Inspeight of Us (Speightstown) who delivered the first 'wow' performance in the first 2-year-old maiden of the Saratoga meet July 18 (video), earning 'TDN Rising Star' status. "I think everybody that buys a horse that wants to win that first maiden special at Saratoga realizes that you're going to be running against some of the best horses that have been specifically targeted for...

There was no hotter trainer on the grounds through opening weekend at Saratoga than Christophe Clement, which is saying something considering the array of champion and Hall of Fame conditioners that occupy the backstretch of America's premier race meet. After winning five races from 13 starters in the first four days of the stand, including a pair of graded stakes victories, Clement joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland to discuss his hot start. Calling in via Zoom as the Green Group Guest of the Week, the French-born trainer...

Trainer Christophe Clement joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast to discuss his turf star and recent GII winner Decorated Invader, as well as some of his promising 2-year-olds and his take on New York's drug regulations.

The uber-talented Decorated Invader returned to the scene of his graduation last summer to earn his third graded victory from as many tries this season. He was reined in to sit second as Get Smokin zipped to the front and opened up a double-digit advantage. The favorite began to creep closer after six panels in 1:13.52, and looked to have the frontrunner in his sights as they straightened for home. Get Smokin wasn't done yet, and offered up some resistance to midstretch, but Decorated Invader found more in reserves and...

Momos (c, 2, Distorted Humor-Inspeight of Us, by Speightstown) kicked off Saturday's card at the Spa with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance. The :21 breezer at OBS March brought $180,000 from Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Secure Investments and was off at odds of 6-1 in this unveiling for Christophe Clement. He sped through an opening quarter in :22.20 from his inside draw, was under cruise control as they hit the quarter pole and took off in the stretch to run his five rivals off their feet. It was 6...

Four-for-six Decorated Invader (Declaration of War) appears awful tough to beat in Saturday's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. at Saratoga. Second to subsequent MGSW Field Pass (Lemon Drop Kid) on local debut here a year ago, he broke through convincingly next out before notching a big win in Woodbine's GI Summer S. in September. He could only manage fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after a tough trip that had many arguing that he might've been best, and he's lent support to that claim...

Decorated Invader (Declaration of War) was hammered down into heavy favoritism for the GII Pennine Ridge S. and ran to the money, charging through late for a dominant score. Handier than usual from third as Proven Strategies (Sky Mesa) set opening splits of :23.86 and :47.50, the bay saved ground all the way under a patient Joel Rosario. Spotting an opening on the fence approaching the bend, Rosario sent Decorated Invader through and the colt responded with a brave punch, pushing past the pacesetter and rolling clear to score. "I've...

Grade I winner Decorate Invader (Declaration of War) looks to secure his second straight win of the season Satuday in Belmont's GII Pennine Ridge S. Following his second-out graduation at Saratoga in August with a win in Woodbine's GI Summer S. in September, the bay checked in fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita Nov. 1. He kicked off 2020 on a winning note, rallying from last to first in Gulfstream's one-mile Cutler Bay S. "Decorated Invader is doing great. He's had two very nice breezes...

From 2016 to 2018 the GI Jaipur S. was won by a gray Patricia Generazio homebred from the Christophe Clement barn, starting with Pure Sensation (Zensational) in 2016 when the race was a Grade III. The following year, Pure Sensation was fourth to his stablemate Disco Partner (Disco Rico), who set a new world record en route to a one-length score. The Jaipur was upgraded to a Grade II in 2018 and Disco Partner successfully defended his title with Pure Sensation finishing third. In 2019, Pure Sensation skipped the Jaipur,...

A Sallee van en route from Florida to trainer Christophe Clement's stable at Belmont Park crashed early Sunday morning on the New Jersey Turnpike. According to reports, 10 horses died in the fire. Clement confirmed the accident on his twitter feed. His post read: "This morning we learned from Sallee that a van carrying horses to our barn in NY caught on fire. We understand both drivers were admitted to hospital, and that all horses have passed. We are all devastated by the news and heartbroken-- we are working to...

It won't take long for the stars to come out at the abbreviated Belmont spring/summer meet, as multiple Grade I winners Got Stormy (Get Stormy) and Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) headline a stout six-horse field in Wednesday's opening-day feature at Big Sandy, the GIII Beaugay S. Third at 21-1 behind Rushing Fall in the GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley S. last spring at Keeneland, Gary Barber's Got Stormy developed into a turf terror over the summer, capturing the De La Rose S. Aug. 3 at Saratoga and famously coming back...

The 2-year-old filly Community Adjusted (Summer Front) has been added to the Empire Racing Club's roster of runners, the group announced Monday. The dark bay filly will race for the partnership of Rob Masiello and ERC, and will be trained by Christophe Clement. Out of Rimini Road (Dynaformer), the filly was purchased by Masiello for $100,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. "Community Adjusted is a lovely filly with a nice neck and shoulder, and looks like she will be able to get a route of ground," said Masiello....