The trotting Paris-Vincennes program began today with the monte Prix de Rambouillet (purse 62,000£, 200 meters, 18 starters) with an impressive 1.13.4kr victory earned by 31/1 Bourbon Somolli (8g Sam Bourbon-Jamaica Somolli) with Mathieu Mottier aboard for owner/trainer Romauld Mourice.
The 4.4/1 Chalimar de Guez (7g Nahar de Beval) took second with J.Y. Ricart in the irons for Ecurie Vautors and trainer Jean Michel Bazire. Distant third was 2.7/1 Capitaine France (7g Modern Jaz) and jockey Matthieu Abrivard.
The 119/1 long shot Vanity Luis (5g Ideal Luis-Cristina Luis) took the Prix de Verneuil (purse 47,000£, 2850 meters, 14 European starters) timed in 1.16.4kr with Francois Lagadeuc at the lines for owner Melissa de Craemer and trainer Mlle. Melanie Gibon. The 1.1/1 favorite Elena Princesse (5f Timoko) held second, with Franck Nivard aboard, and 9/1 Epatante Star (5f Lets Go Along) was third with Eric Raffin the reinsman. The fourth through sixth finishers were off at 31, 32, and 26/1 odds respectively.
Today’s Quinte+ Prix de Munich (purse 75,000£, 2100 meters autostart, 14 European starters) saw a good level trotteurs lineup for this event. The 4.1/1 Tessy d’Ete (7g Ganymede-Love Me Tender) rallied to win for Franck Nivard, Scuderia Eurocolor Srl and trainer Philippe Billard.
Race time was a quick 1.10.3kr off “speed” fractions. Tessy d’Ete now sports six career wins in FR from 23 career starts for 414,169£ earned. The 47/1 I Love Paris (9f Steinlager) was second with David Thomain up for trainer Bjorn Goop. Third was the 1.4/1 favorite Mindyourvalue WF (6g Hovding Lavec) trained by Robert Bergh and reined by Gabriele Gelormini.
The 62/1 Cicero Noa, Christophe Martens up, and 7/1 Barrio Josselyn, for Jean Michel Bazire, completed the Q+ exact order top five that paid 40,367.80£ to 15 ticketholders. The Q+ pool was 4,764,224£
The day’s featured Gr. II Prix Ephrem Houel (purse 100,000£, 2850 meters, 11 starters) saw the 3/2 favorite Falcao de Laurma (4m Uniclove-Rangoon) prevail for pilot Anthony Barrier, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and owner Armand Speisser.
The winner recorded his fourth career victory in 19 starts now for 219,030£ earned. Race time was 1.14kr. 7.5/1 Fanina des Racques (4f Ready Cash) was second with Franck Nivard up and 34/1 Fend la Bise (4f Prince Gede) was third with trainer Franck Anne aboard. The 2.9/1 second choice Fakir du Lorault was a dq.
The improving City Guide (4m Love You-Crys Dream) took the Prix de Gournay en Bray (purse 47,000£, 200 meters, 12 European starters) at 7/10 favorite odds today with Robin Bakker aboard for trainer Erwin Bot. Ecurie Gerrits Recyling B.V. owns the now two time winner in six FR outings, clocked today in 1.14.3kr.
The 27/1 Great Gatsby As (4m Abano As-Glide Be Nimble) was second for Pierre Vercruysse, trainer Erwin But (again) and owner L.G. Gerrits. Third was 24/1 Falco de Douet (4m kin du Cap Vert) with Tony LeBeller at the lines.
The 75,000£ purse Prix de Lisieux was raced over 2850 meters by 12 European monter starters with the 1.15.3kr timed victory earned by 1.3/1 favorite Beau de Grimoult (8g Pacifque Gede-Quelle Bora). Melle. Mathilde Collet was the winning jockey for trainer Franck Anne and Ecurie de Grimoult.
Beau scored for the 18th time in an 88 race career and increased his life earnings to 454,300£. 21/1 Varum Boy (10f Baccarat du Pont) was second for Damien Boone and 1.4/1 second wagering choice Julio de Luxe (10g Juliano Star) was third for jockey Alexandre Abrivard and trainer Bjorn Goop.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink