A superb trotting card was on stage today at Enghien that included a number of groupe events and the Quinte+. The Q+ Prix de L’Union (52,000 euro purse, 2150 meters voltstart, 16 entrants) went to Usain Henna (8m Super Light-Kassandra Kuron) with Jorgen Westholm the trainer/driver. Ecurie Henne owns this 1.13.1kr timed winner today that was off at 1.3/1 odds.
Vixel (9g Quido du Goutier) was second for trainer/driver Franck Ouvrie and Super Fez (7m Love You) was third with Gabriele Gelormini up. Angelo Am and Baileyse completed the top five and the exact order payoff was 1,003 euro for a 2 euro play.
The Gr. III Prix de Geneve (purse 85,000 euro, 2875 meters, 10 starters) was a superb strategic race won in the late stages by 9/1 odds Classic Connection (4m Love You-Crys Dream) with Matthieu Abrivard up.
This pair was away near the back and followed cover in the last lap and moved steadily through the lane for a two length score timed in 1.14.2kr. The Yves Boireau trainee is owned and was bred by Jean Pierre Dubois and now has career earnings of 157,870 euro.
The 37/1 Elite du Ruel (4f Timoko-Romance du Ruel) held second for trainer/driver Franck Anne and Express Jet (4m Goetmals Wood-Run For Jet) rallied to be third for trainer/driver Pierre Vercruysse and Ecurie Opale
The Prix de la Porte de Versailles (purse 70,000 euro, 2150 meters autostart, seven European starters) went to 1.11.7kr timed Orlando Jet (5m Orlando Vici-Chicolina) for trainer/driver Rudolf Haller and Team Neuhof.
This 3/10 favorite was a dominant six length winner that defeated Cap Matyss (6m Love You-Ode Matyss) handled by Franck Nivard for trainer Franck Leblanc and United Love (5m Conway Hall-Dolly Kronos) with David Thomain up. Orlando Jet is one to watch in fast class future international contests.
The day’s featured Gr. II Prix Jean Luc Lagardere (purse 150,000 euro, 2875 meters voltstart, 12 entrants) saw Aubrion de Gers (8g Memphis du Rib-J’Arrive du Gers) score for owner/trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire clocked in 1.11.3kr.
The winner was away third and stayed there for the first 1600 meters before surging to the lead. This 2/5 favorite then gamely held off stretch challenges from second finishing Bird Parker (7m Ready Cash-Belisha) reined by J.Ph. Monclin for trainer Philippe Allaire and third finishing Cash Gamble (7m Ready Cash-No Way Back) with Franck Nivard up. Un Mec d’Heripre (10m Orlando Vici-Love You Darling and Tony Gio completed the top five. Aubrion du Gers now has career earnings of 1,880,872 euro from 35 wins in 59 outings.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink