Mezzo Soprano Wins Prix Vermeille

Godolphin Racing's Mezzo Soprano gamely held off a relentless Yesterday close to home to win Sunday's Prix Vermeille Fouquet's Barriere (Fr-I) for 3-year-old fillies by a head at Longchamp Sunday.

"That was Mezzo Soprano's Arc," a happy Simon Cristford, Godolphin's racing manager, told The Racing Post. "She comes from such a prestigious family and Sheikh Mohammed will decide where she goes next."

Mezzo Soprano, by Darshaan out of Morn of Song (Blushing Groom), is a full sister to Rahy and a half-sister to Singspiel.

The winning time for the 1 1/2 mile was 2:26.1 on good to soft going.

Fidelite was third, three lengths behind the runner-up and a head in front of Vallee Enchantee, who did not mount a rally late. State of Art was fatally injured on the run down to the straight.

After leading briefly, Mezzo Soprano was settled in behind pacesetting Butterly Blue and Casual Look. Dettori made his move early in the straight and took the lead more than a furlong from home. But Yesterday, with Jamie Spencer aboard, made continued progress on the leaders and reached Mezzo Soprano with less than a furlong to go.

"That was my first success in the Vermeille and I'm very happy as it's such an important race," Dettori said. "I've been second on three previous occasions."