By Sean Cronin
Europe's first 2-year-old contest of the year, Marseille-Borely's five-furlong Prix de Carqueiranne, takes place Thursday morning and has attracted a final field of eight newcomers.
It features a trio hailing from the Fabrice Vermeulen yard, including €10,000 Arqana September graduate Bad Boy (Fr), who will become the first representative of Haras de Saint-Vincent's freshman sire Fas (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The February-foaled bay is a son of Listed Prix Caravelle third Queendara (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), herself a daughter of Listed Prix Occitanie victrix and G3 Prix de Royaumont placegetter Dance In The Park (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}).
Europe's second juvenile event, a €23,000 4 1/2-furlong test for newcomers, will take place Sunday at Lyon-Parilly. Pre-declaration entries include standard-bearers for first-season sires Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead), Inns Of Court (Ire) (Invicible Spirit {Ire}) and Palace Prince (Ger) (Areion {Ger}).
Ireland is slated to get underway on Mar. 25 at the Curragh, with its usually informative opening five-furlong maiden for youngsters, while Britain waits an extra week for Doncaster's £35,000 Apr. 1 Brocklesby, won last year by subsequent G2 July S. victor and three-time Group 1 placegetter Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}).
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