Scorpion Takes St. Leger for Dettori, O'Brien

Scorpion carries Frankie Dettori wire-to-wire for the rider's third St. Leger win. Photo: Associated Press

By Mary Schweitzer
Scorpion led from gate to wire to take the 229th running of the $828,000 Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (Eng-I) to begin a great day of racing for Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Frankie Dettori, sporting the dark blue silks of Coolmore Stud rather than the royal blue of Godolphin, dictated the pace aboard the son of Montjeu in the world's oldest classic race.

Dettori and O'Brien teamed up for their first victory together in the 1 3/4-mile classic; they each now have three individual wins in the St. Leger. Dettori won the St. Leger on Classic Cliche in 1995 and Shantou a year later.

Scorpion, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-I) in his prior start, appeared to lose his footing with about 200 meters to go, but the 10-11 favorite still had plenty left to hold off The Geezer, sent off at 7-2, by a length. Outsider Tawqeet, 11-1, was third.

Options for this colt are plenty, including possible starts in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) and the John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I).

The victory started a great day for O'Brien, who also captured the $1 million Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) in Dublin when Oratorio won by a half-length.

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