G3 test awaits Shared Sense in Indiana Derby

Three-year-old colt Shared Sense steps up to G3 company for the Indiana Derby over nine furlongs on dirt at Indiana Grand, US, on Wednesday.

The Brad Cox-trained son of Street Sense got up near the line when winning a dirt allowance optional claimer over a mile at Oaklawn Park at the end of February and has subsequently made two appearances at Churchill Downs.

After coming home sixth on turf in the mile War Chant Stakes in May, Shared Sense (Florent Geroux) switched back to dirt to take second in an allowance optional claimer over an extended mile on Saturday, 13 June.

Godolphin’s US President Jimmy Bell said: “Shared Sense is probably a step below the top division at this point in time and this is hopefully an opportunity for him to get a little more confidence without taking on the heavy hitters.

“He is a very consistent and genuine horse. It is probably a case of the further he goes, the more he likes it, and we think this race is right down his alley in terms of competition. Brad Cox likes him and this looks a good spot at this stage of his career.”

Meanwhile, Victor Ludorum ran a gallant race after breaking slowly from a difficult draw to finish third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over an extended 10 furlongs at Chantilly, France, on Sunday.

The son of Shamardal, attempting to emulate his sire and complete a Classic double following an impressive win in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, dwelt leaving his inside draw of stall one and raced in a clear last of the 16 runners early on.

He took slightly closer order on the outside of the field after the first three furlongs but the Andre Fabre-trained colt still had most of the field in front of him at the top of the home straight.

Victor Ludorum accelerated strongly down the centre of the course under Mickael Barzalona and held every chance approaching the final half-furlong. He was outpaced by Mishriff in the closing stages and narrowly lost out on second to The Summit, going down by two lengths in total.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Victor Ludorum was outstayed by a good winner but the race wasn’t run to suit him and it all went wrong at the start. He showed a great turn of foot in the straight before finding Mishriff too strong near the line.

“He has still run very well and we will regroup before deciding any future plans.

Earlier, Consistent three-year-old Pixelate produced another admirable display to finish second on his G3 debut in the nine-furlong Kent Stakes on turf at Delaware Park, US, on Saturday.

The City Zip colt, who had won or placed on all nine of his previous appearances for Michael Stidham, was pushed along leaving the stalls by Angel Suarez to race in fourth of the seven runners after the first quarter-mile.

Pixelate quickened strongly in the straight to hold every chance approaching the final half-furlong but could not go on with Gufo, who scored by half a length in a track record time.

Godolphin US President Jimmy Bell said: “Pixelate ran very well and has turned into a bit of an iron horse for us. He shipped out to Delaware on very short rest, running back very quickly, and produced another very determined effort in a fast-run race.

“He is extremely game, having never finished worse than third in 10 starts, while his last seven runs have all been in Stakes races, so he is a very solid performer.”