Harness racing action on Friday was at four locations with the Q+ Prix des Valerianes (purse €55,000, 2850 meters, 16 starters) and the 1.14.3kr victory was earned by 7.5/1 Astor de Rozoy (6m Ready Cash-Natacha de Rozoy) with Ch. Duvaldestin the pilot for Thierry Duvaldestin, training for breeder/owner Jean-Paul Lemelletier. 6.9/1 Astre d’Eglefin (6g Orlando Sport-Quadline Turgot) took Second for trainer/driver A.G. Maillard with 69/1 outsider All Feeling (6m Otello Pierji-Quelle Cerencaise) home a distance third.
At Avenches (Suisse) the Prix de Vitresse (purse €13,850, 1609 meters autostart, nine entrants) took place with 9/10 favorite Attenarco (6g Ready Cash-Mattmarq) scoring in 1.11.9kr for driver He. Turretini, owner Ecurie Bo Turretini and trainer Nunes de Oliverira V. 7.7/1 Swing d’Eronville captured second for Jacques Juriens ahead of 19/1 Avenir with Jose Davet driving.
At Pornichet, the Prix de Maure de Bretagne (purse €26,000, 2725 meters, 18 starters) produced a 121/1 upset by Unknow Charm (8g Password-Know How) clocked in 1.15.8kr. The D.Cl. Martin owned gelding was bred by Jean-Philippe Dubois and was driven today by trainer O. Picard. 9/1 Amour de Neulliac (6g Goetmals Wood-Kalie de Neulliac) took second ahead of 3.4/1 Amarilla de Rabut (6f Ideal de l;Iton-Deux Pommes) with owner/trainer Ph. Duclos driving.
This day an interesting race took place at Pont de Vivaux as 3.3/1 Djanca du Vivier (3f Timoko-Osanja du Vivier) scored for trainer/driver Junior Guelpa. Jean Yves Lucuyer is the breeder/owner of the 1.19.8kr time winner that scored in her first start in the Prix des Pixchauris Funeris Melani Peint (purse €12,000, 2650 meters, 11 starters). 18/1 Didja du Messi took second with third earned by 8.8/1 Divine de Boitron (3f Rodrigo Jet-Olive de l’Arrete) for Stephane Cingland, also trainer of this one for owner Franck Anne.
Thomas H. Hicks