A pair of French-based gallopers, each exiting efforts in Group 1 company, are set to travel over to the U.S. in the coming days ahead of next week's GI Belmont Oaks Invitational and GI Belmont Derby Invitational.
Trainer Pascal Bary confirmed that Olendon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) is an intended runner in the Oaks, the first leg of the newly minted Turf Triple Tiara, July 6. Owned by Gerard Augustin-Normand, Olendon, a €65,000 graduate of the 2017 Arqana V.2 Yearling Sale, won her maiden at second asking at Deauville last July 4 and earned her first black-type victory in the Listed Prix Finlande at ParisLongchamp Apr. 28. Dispatched at 49-1 in the G1 Coolmore Prix Saint Alary at ParisLongchamp May 26, she settled near the back of the pace and stayed on nicely to finish second to the well-regarded odds-on favorite Siyarafina (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). John Velazquez has the call in the Oaks.
Rockemperor (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), sixth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly June 2, has joined the Chad Brown barn and is listed as a possible starter in the Belmont Derby. The colt, runner-up in the G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp in April, was purchased by BSW Bloodstock's Brad Weisbord on behalf of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables prior to the French Derby.
“Right now, we're pointing for the Belmont Derby,” Weisbord said. “He breezed last weekend for Chad. [Hall of Fame jockey] John Velazquez worked him and will have the mount if he ends up running. He is going to breeze again on the turf and Chad will make the final decision on whether or not he does run.”
Rockemperor, a €50,000 Arqana August Yearling and €12,000 Arqana May breezer, is a two-time winner from his seven career appearances, having graduated at first asking at the seaside Hyeres Racecourse in extreme southern France last September before annexing a Feb. 23 allowance over the all-weather track at Cagnes-sur-Mer.
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