THE SIDELINES : Young Mother, Aliysa Are Favored

Young Mother, a 3-year-old French filly, and the Aga Khan’s Aliysa are favorites in an unspectacular field for Sunday’s 68th running of the $1.3-million Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Race Track.

Nineteen horses are entered in the turf race at a distance of a little more than 1 1/2 miles.

The absence of Nashwan, until recently hailed as one of Europe’s best racehorses of the last decade, has thrown the field open. The British colt was unbeaten in six races, including the Epsom Derby, but then fared miserably in the Prix Niel here last month, finishing third behind Golden Pheasant and French Glory.

Young Mother, trained by Frenchman Jean-Marie Beguingne and with Alain Badel aboard, had a convincing win in the recent Prix Vermeille. Aliysa, ridden by Walter Swinburn, has not competed since July but is highly thought of, as is Cacoethes, second to Nashwan at Ascot and in the King George.