May 11 - This seems to be the month for horseracing upsets, after longshot Mine That Bird won the Kentucky Derby a week ago, and this weekend 5-1 Elusive Wave crossed the line first in the $533,000 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) ahead of well-backed favorite, Fantasia.

The 1 mile Poule d'Essai des Pouliches run each year at Paris' historical Longchamp Racecourse, always attracts a large attendance, and this year's outing was no exception, highlighted by two American-owned prospects - Fantasia, trained by Luca Cumani and Elusive Wave, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget.

Going into the prestigious race, many race goers were expecting Fantasia to dominate, but the reality was very different. From the start, it was Elusive Wave who shined the brightest in the race, proving uncatchable until the finish. Her stablemate, Tamazirte, came second, followed closely by Fantasia in third.

The result was a coup for French trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, whose first and second place finishers in the turf race for three-year-old fillies bore testimony to his impressive training skills. Elusive Wave set a slow pace during the race, but enough to hold off her rivals, allowing her to finish 1/2 a length clear.

Owned by Wall Street trader, Martin Schwartz, Elusive Wave was acquired by the American at the Arqana Arc Sale at Saint-Cloud for $910,000, but she is clearly worth every cent. Her trainer Jean-Claude Rouget will need to decide whether to point her in another French race or in one across the channel.

Rouget will likely enter Elusive Wave - the daughter of notable runner Elusive City - in one of two Gr 1 races; the lucrative 1 5/16-mile Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly Racecourse on June 14 or alternatively bring her to England for the auspicious 1 mile Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19.

For American racehorse owner, George Strawbridge, the going has been rough of late. Not only did his filly Fantasia fail to live up to her potential in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but another of his top fillies, Rainbow View, only managed a fifth place in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, as the favorite.

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2011/12/09 12:48:58 AM