Deauville: Spot Plays for Aug. 17

One of the most important mile races in all of Europe highlights the Sunday program at Deauville, as the Normandy course reaches the midway point of its important August meeting. I'll be taking a look at that race, as well as a later Group offering for two-year-olds.

Race 4: Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), 9:50 a.m. ET

The winner's roll of the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1) is simply outstanding. It includes Breeders' Cup winners Miesque, Spinning World, Banks Hill, Six Perfections, Goldikova, and Inspiral, as well as other standouts like Dubai Millennium, Dubawi, and Kingman.

There are no horses of that caliber in this 11-strong field, but #11 The Lion in Winter (5-1) can add his name to a long list of three-year-old winners.

Since an eye-catching win in the Acomb (G3) last summer, much has not gone right with The Lion in Winter. A setback derailed his chances at making the 2000 Guineas (G1), and follow-up stamina tests in the Dante (G2) and Epsom Derby (G1) proved he was not up to stretching out at this time.

His last-out third in the Prix Jean Prat (G1), though, was considerably better. Off a bit awkwardly and running over ground softer than he'd been accustomed, The Lion in Winter turned in his best effort of the season to miss by a neck to longshot Woodshauna. That rival subsequently finished a respectable third in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1), proving the Jean Prat was no fluke.

The Lion in Winter is likely to get faster ground on Sunday and gets a seven-pound weight concession from his elders, factors that might aid in producing his first winning effort since the Acomb.

Race 5: Prix Francois Boutin (G3), 10:25 a.m. ET

This seven-furlong test for juveniles will provide a solid class test for #7 Kenzel (4-1), who comfortably captured his first two starts over this distance at the provincial courses of Compiegne and Dieppe for the Wertheimers and trainer Christophe Ferland.

Kenzel caught the eye in handling the more demanding course conditions and on debut bested Komorebi, who has since won twice on the Deauville circuit. Despite having faced and beaten softer company, the feeling is he'll fit just fine against the numerous raiders invading from across the Channel.