Garrity's Sunday Stakes heads to soggy Longchamp in France for 4 Group 1 race picks including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
There are four Group 1 races today on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card, and here are our picks in them. All times are Eastern Time in the U.S., and after rain all week, the going is heavy, which means it’s very soft, with a penetrometer reading of 4.6 -- this is quite boggy.
Longchamp, Race 4, 10:05 am EDT
Group 1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, 1 ½ miles, Turf, 3 & Up
The all-time great race mare 8-Enable goes for history today, trying to become the first horse of either sex to win the Arc three times. She will certainly be tough to beat, but the going may do her in, as turf this soft is not her preferred running surface. At a short-price, we are going to play against her.
The pick is 6-Stradivarius, who is trained by John Gosden and who should relish the going. He is well-prepped for this, having been competing in some very tough races in England over the summer, and having just missed, losing by a nose, in the Group 2 Prix Foy at Longchamps on September 13. Winning Europe’s most important horse race is never easy, but we think that Stradivarious is up for the challenge. We will bet him to win at 5-1. The bet: Longchamps, Race 4, $30 to win on 6-Stradivarius.
Longchamp, Race 5, 10:50 am EDT
Group 1 Prix de l’Opera Longines, 1 ¼ miles, Turf, Fillies & Mares 3 & Up
We can find no fault with the form of 8-Takweel. She’s an English-bred 3-year-old filly who is undefeated in five career starts, and she has won her last two on soft turf. This is by far the toughest field that she has ever faced, but we think she can handle the task. We will bet her to win at 9/2. The bet: Longchamps, Race 5, $25 to win on 8-Takweel.
Longchamp, Race 5, 11;25 am
Group 1 Prix de L’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, 5 furlongs, Turf, 2 & Up
We are going chalky in the Prix de L’Abbaye, as morning line favorite 6-Glass Slippers comes into this race in good form, and has shown an ability to handle off going in the past. She won the race last year, and we think she repeats. We will bet her to win at 2-1. The bet: Longchamps, Race 5, $25 to win on 6-Glass Slippers.
Longchamp, Race 7, 11:55 am EDT
Group 1 Qatar Prix de La Foret, 7 furlongs, Turf, 3 & Up
The Prix de la Foret looks formful on paper, with 9/5 favorite 7-Earthlight appearing to be a standout, with seven wins in eight career starts, but we are hesitant that he will take to the heavy going. So we are looking elsewhere.
The pick is 8-One Master, who moves way up on the heavy turf. He has just missed in his last two, finishing second in stakes at Doncaster and York in England, but we think he will finish in first today. We will bet him to win at 5/2. The bet: Longchamps, Race 7, $25 to win on 8-One Master.
Enjoy the races.