Runaway German Derby (Ger-I) winner Sea The Moon is the hot favorite of the Longines Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-I), and he will have a new rider aboard when he takes on older runners for the first time Sept. 7 at Baden-Baden.
The Grosser Preis von Baden is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenger "Win & You're In" series, with the winner receiving an automatic, fees-paid berth in the Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
The son of Sea The Stars was ridden to an 11-length romp in the July 6 German Derby by Christophe Soumillon, keeping his career record untarnished. Cristian Demuro takes the call on the colt for first time in Sunday's race as Soumillon must honor commitments as the Aga Khan's retained jockey.
Sea The Moon has won his four career starts—all in front-running fashion—by a combined margin of 20 lengths for owner-breeder Gestut Gorlsdorf. He had his final serious move for the Grosser Preis von Baden Sept. 2, pleasing Klug, according to published reports. The trainer cautioned, however, that because the colt had a minor setback following the German Derby win. he is not at his physical peak with his main goal this season the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) in October at Longchamp.
Niko Lafrentz's family campaigns Sea The Moon, who sparked worldwide attention with his scintillating German Derby win, including from parties interested in trying to buy the bay colt.
Speaking to German Racing, Lafrentz was adamant that Sea The Moon was not for sale and also that he would race as a 4-year-old, perhaps even at Royal Ascot.
"No amount of money will make us sell him," he said. "We keep rejecting bids and any additional amount of money offered will not make any difference; he is our horse."
Klug also sends out Gestut Gorlsdorf's 5-year-old Berlin Berlin, a runner-up to 3-year-old Sirius in the Aug. 10 Grosser Preis Berlin (Ger-I) last time out.
Sirius also returns for owner Stall Molenhof and trainer Andreas Lowe, as does Stall Hornoldendorf's 2013 German Derby winner Lucky Speed, who was third in the Grosser Preis Berlin for trainer Peter Schiergen.
Gestut Winterhauch's Lucky Lion, a top 3-year-old this year with a 4-1-0 record from five starts, will have his stamina tested over the Grosser Preis von Baden's 2,400-meters (about 1 1/2 miles). He defeated highly regarded Noble Mission by a neck in the July 27 Grosser Dallmayr Preis-Bauerishces Zuchtrennen (Ger-I) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles)
Gestut Schlenderhan is represented by 4-yaer-old Ivanhowe, winner of the Gerling Preis (Ger-II) and seeking a group I breakthrough.
Ecurie Jean Louis Bouchard's Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) candidate Terrubi cuts back in distance after defeating Brown Panther and Going Somewhere in the Prix Maurice de Nieull (Fr-II) at 2,800 meters (about 1 3/4 miles) July 13.
Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-I), Sept. 7, 3YO&Up, 2,400 meters (abt. 1 1/2 miles), Baden-Baden
No. PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. 7. Amonit (FR) (Kentucky Dynamite), A. Crastus, 132, J. Hirschberger
2. 11. Iniciar (GER) (Galileo), J.-P. Carvalho, 132, G. Pardon
3. 8. Ivanhowe (GER) (Soldier Hollow) F. Minarik, 132, J.-P.Carvalho
4. 10. Lucky Speed (IRE) (Silvano), A. de Vries, 132, P. Schiergen
5. 4. Night Wish (GER) (Sholokhov), A. Pietsch, 132, W. Figge
6. 6. Terrubi (IRE) (Dalakhani), E. Pedroza, 132, A. Wohler
7. 1. Berlin Berlin (GB) (Dubai Destination), F. Tylicki, 129, M. Klug
8. 3. Giant's Cauldron (GER) (Peintre Celebre), A. Helfenbein, 123, P. Schiergen
9. 9. Lucky Lion (GB) (High Chapparal), I. Mendizabal, 123, A. Lowe
10. 2. Sea The Moon (IRE) (Sea The Stars), C. Demuro, 123, M. Klug
11. 5. Sirius (GER) (Dashing Blade), S. St. Hellyn, 123, A. Lowe
