Le Glorieux, a West German Colt, Wins the D.C. International

Le Glorieux, a 3-year-old colt representing West Germany, won the $750,000 Washington D.C. International at Laurel, Md., Saturday, finishing a neck ahead of 17-1 shot Great Communicator, a U.S. horse, who had led from the start.

Le Glorieux, carrying 122 pounds, was timed in 2:02 4/5 over a firm course in the 1-mile grass race at Laurel Race Course.

“He broke alertly, but it looked like he didn’t want to stay close to the pace,” Laffit Pincay said after his first International ride. “On the first turn, we were way back, and I said, ‘What am I doing here? I am supposed to be third or fourth.’ I decided to let him make one run. I was lucky because another horse drifted out in the stretch, and I went inside.”

Great Communicator, a 4-year-old gelding with Kent Desormeaux up, faded to second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of 21-1 outsider Motley of France, who hung on by a nose over fourth-place finisher Stately Don of the United States.

Le Glorieux paid $6.40, $4 and $3.80; Great Communicator paid $8.80 and $5.20, and Motley paid $9.80.

Le Glorieux, an English-bred trained by Frenchman Robert Collet, is expected to go next in the Japan Cup instead of the Breeders’ Cup Turf race Nov. 21 at Hollywood Park, said owner Werner Wolf of Munich, West Germany.