Ridasiyna posts upset in Prix de l'Opera

Ridasiyna posted a 12-1 upset on Sunday at Longchamp in the $516,760 Longines Prix de l'Opera (Fr-I), rallying past favored Izzi Top to win the prestigious race by about three lengths.

Under a patient ride from Christophe Lemaire, Ridasiyna was allowed to settle back into the fourth position as Manieree opened up a substantial early lead. Sagawara and Izzi Top were her closest pursuers, with Ambivalent and Rjwa also part of the leading group. Galikova and Giofra were toward the rear of the large thirteen-horse field.

As the field made their way down the homestretch, Manieree began to tire, allowing Izzi Top to take command of the lead. However, her lead was short-lived, as Ridasiyna was rallying powerfully on the far outside and quickly surpassed Izzi Top. From there, the race was over, as Ridasiyna coasted home easily to win in decisive fashion. The final time for ten furlongs on heavy turf was 2:11.23 seconds.

Izzi Top held second by a neck over the late-running Giofra, while Pirika and Rjwa rounded out the top five.

The winner is trained by Mikel Delzangles and owned by S.A. Aga Khan. A three-year-old daughter of Motivator out of the Darshaan mare Ridafa, Ridasiyna has now won four of her five starts, her only loss coming when fifth in the Prix de la Nonette Shadwell (Fr-II).

-Keelerman

Prix de l'Opera Entries: Izzi Top, Giofra, and Galikova among prominent entrants

Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I) winner Izzi Top, Falmouth Stakes (Eng-I) winner Giofra, and 2011 Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) winner Galikova are among the fourteen fillies and mares entered in the Longines Prix de l'Opera (Fr-I), to be run on Sunday at Longchamp.

The ten-furlong turf race is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. I), and thus, it would not be surprising if the winner -- or even an also-ran or two -- were to ship to Santa Anita to contest the Breeders' Cup.

Post Positions:
1 Manieree
2 Caitania
3 Ambivalent
4 Leaupartie
5 Izzi Top
6 Ridasiyna
7 Rjwa
8 Pirika
9 Gulsary
10 Galikova
11 Sagawara
12 Sydarra
13 Quiza Quiza Quiza
14 Giofra

-Keelerman