Yakaba To Head Off Criterium Rivals?

Europe’s final juvenile Group 2 contest of the season is a fascinating renewal with eight set to go postward for Friday’s G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. Trainer Freddy Head, who won a record-equaling four editions as a jockey, offers up Wertheimer homebred Yakaba (Fr) (Medicean {GB}) for scutiny. One of just two distaffers in attendance, she ran sixth in the July 26 G2 Prix Robert Papin at this track before garnering Deauville’s Aug. 15 Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge and will go postward off a win in the Sept. 3 G3 Prix d’Arenberg at Longchamp. Andre Fabre relies on unbeaten Jimmy Two Times (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), who comes off a Sept. 19 conditions score at Longchamp, while Jim Bolger is represented by the similarly unbeaten Smash Williams (Ire) (Fracas {Ire}), who comfortably annexed the Aug. 30 G3 Round Tower S. at The Curragh last time. Godolphin acquisition Log Out Island (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who ran third to Yakaba in the Vallee d’Auge, is the most experienced in the field and was rewarded for his consistency over the course of a busy campaign by annexing Redcar’s Oct. 3 Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy in his latest start. “Log Out Island has only cantered since his win at Redcar, but looks to be in good form at the moment,” commented trainer Richard Hannon. “It is soft ground in France and he should have a good chance.” Jockey Christophe Soumillon will establish an outright winningest record of five if successful aboard Omar Bradley (War Front), but his mount must exhibit improvement to feature coming off a third in Longchamp’s Sept. 6 G3 Prix la Rochette.