Bodog Beat

French jockey Christophe Soumillon, riding Zarkava, blows kisses to the crowd as he crosses first the finish line. (AP Images)

French filly Zarkava overcame soft ground, an inside post draw and a field of colts to win the $5M Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the world's richest turf race, on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Longchamp.

Zarkava was riding a six-race unbeaten streak going into the Arc. But soft ground caused by heavy overnight rains threatened her bid for a seventh straight win; trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre was poised to scratch her if track conditions remained unfavorable. But the track dried, and Zarkava would start – from stall one on the inside rail.

Under jockey Christophe Soumillon, Zarkava hugged the rail near the back of the 16-horse field for a mile of the 1 ½ mile race before making a bid for the lead. The duo skillfully navigated through traffic and broke clear at the final furlong to win by two lengths.

Zarkava is the first filly in 15 years to win the Arc since Urban Sea in 1993. Youmzain, last year's runner-up, finished second once again; third place was shared by It's Gino and Soldier of Fortune. Duke of Marmalade was hampered by the soft ground and finished seventh.

Despite her brilliant win, however, 3-year-old Zarkava will not be in the Breeders' Cup later this month. According to de Royer-Dupre and owner Aga Khan, Zarkava has completed her 2008 campaign and a decision about her future won't be made for several days.

"How I feel today is that I appear to have finished my work, it was a plan at the start of the season for her to remain unbeaten and win the Arc," said de Royer-Dupre.

And with Zarkava's Arc title achieved, racing fans will have to wait to see if and when they will see her race next.

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