Graudeur Might Contest American St. Leger

Last year’s Grade I Arlington Million morning line favorite Grandeur might return to the Chicagoland oval this year, but in a different race.  Trained by Jeremy Noseda for Yvonne Jacques, the gray son of Verglas is coming off two consecutive trips to America to contest Grade I races at Belmont, including a traffic-riddled fourth last out in the Grade I Manhattan behind 2013 Million winner Real Solution.  While also considered possible for another attempt in the Million, he is also under serious consideration for the Listed American St. Leger.

Despite often racing at or around the 10-furlong distance of the Million, Grandeur has the flexibility and stamina to be a force at marathon distances like the 1 11/16-miles American St. Leger.  In 2012, he won the 12-furlong Grade II Hollywood Gold Cup – one of six career Stateside races for the firm ground-loving gelding – and was a notable fourth in the 12-furlong Group II Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket in 2013, finishing behind talented stayers Universal, Ahzeemah and Group II Dubai Gold Cup winner Cavalryman.

Another European under consideration for the American St. Leger is the Irish-bred Mount Athos from the Marco Botti barn that has claimed the first two runnings of the event with Jakkalberry and Dandino.  The 7-year-old gelded son of Montjeu is in career form, winning the Listed Aston Park Stakes over the same distance of the American St. Leger at Newbury last out.  Last year, Mount Athos was an excellent third in arguably the world’s most prestigious marathon, the Group I Melbourne Cup at two miles, finishing ahead of Dandino in the process.