Already an intriguing field amongst the domestic rivals, Sunday's GIII Sweetest Chant S. at Gulfstream gets an added punch of intrigue via a pair of French shippers making their sophomore and Stateside debuts.
La Feve (Fr) (George Vancouver) took five tries to break her maiden, but did it against male allowance company at Mont-de-Marsan July 19, and followed that effort up with a strong third at 41-1 in the G3 Prix d'Aumale Sept. 9 at Longchamp. That was good enough to pique the interest of Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta, who teamed up to bring the chestnut to America. She has breezed steadily for Chad Brown at Palm Meadows, capping the pattern with a half-mile on the dirt in :48 3/5 (14/98) Jan. 29.
Ardara Belle (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) is the more lightly-raced of the French pair. Graduating at first asking when dismissed at 17-1 Sept. 25 at Fontainebleau, the bay ran a close sixth in the Prix Zeddaan Oct. 23 at Deauville last out. Unlike her compatriot, however, she's only sprinted on straightaway courses and will try two turns in this one-mile test. She also shows sharp Palm Meadows drills, highlighted by a half-mile turf move in :47 2/5 (1/41) around dogs Jan. 19.
'TDN Rising Star' Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) gives Brown a potent one-two punch as she attempts to stay unbeaten. Romping to an impressive 5 1/2-length score on debut Oct. 6 at Belmont, the Paul Pompa homebred survived a dogfight by a nose in the Stewart Manor S. Nov. 11 at Aqueduct.
A Bit Special (GB) (Mukhadram {GB}) is a neck from being unbeaten in four career starts. Finishing fast to graduate first out sprinting on this course Aug. 19, the bay overcame a slow pace and just missed when second in the Sharp Susan S. Sept. 1 before annexing the Our Dear Peggy S. Sept. 29. Laid up briefly after that, she returned with another stakes triumph in the Wait A While S. Dec. 8.
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