‘Temptress’ Eyeing French 1000 Guineas

[Chief Stipe]

Team Valor’s GI Natalma S. heroine Capla Temptress (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has returned to the care of original trainer Marco Botti from American Hall of Famer Bill Mott and her connections are eyeing the G1 French 1000 Guineas as a potential target. The April-foaled bay holds entries in both the May 6 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the French equivalent at Longchamp a week later.

“She is back with us and I’m very pleased with her,” said Botti of his charge, who ran seventh in her lone start for Mott in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 3 when last seen. “She ran at the Breeders’ Cup, then the owners had a meeting afterwards and decided to send her back to Europe. She had 40 days in quarantine after the Breeders’ Cup and arrived back in Newmarket in December. She did well for us last year and I thought she was going to America for good, but thanks to Team Valor she is back.”

Added the Italian, “She will not go for a trial in the [G3] Fred Darling [S. on Apr. 21] or [G3] Nell Gwyn [on Apr. 18]. We are entered in the English Guineas and the French Guineas. We will see how she is mid-April and it would be silly not to consider the English Guineas, but at this stage I would say she is more likely to take her chance in the French Guineas. She has not grown much, but she has done well physically and I think she looks stronger than last year. There is no doubt she has the ability and a great mind and that is a big plus.”

Capla Temptress made her first two starts for Capla Developments and Les Boyer, resulting in a pari of wins over the Chelmsford all-weather on June 21 and in the Lettergold Fillies’ Novice Auction S. that July, before being purchased privately by Team Valor. She lost her unbeaten tag in the G3 Sweet Solera S. at headquarters in August, prior to her Woodbine triumph.

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