The 2/5 favorite Aubrion du Gers (9g Memphis du Rib-J’Arrive du Gers) won today’s Gr. II Prix des Ducs de Normandie (purse 130,000€, 2450 meters, 12 International starters) at Caen with a patient, smart drive engineered by harness racing owner/trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire.
He was away second on the outer and after 300 meters took the lead from early leader and 3.1/1 odds Bold Eagle (8m Ready Cash-Reethi Rah Jet) handled by Bjorn Goop for trainer Sebastien Guarato.
From then forward Aubrion du Gers maintained the front and won by over a length timed in 1.12.5kr for his 15 th consecutive victory and 45th in a 69-race career. His earnings are now 2,321,947€.
Bold Eagle increased his life earnings to 4,047, 120€ with the second-place finish and is now 43 career wins from 62 outings.
Bugsy Malone (8g Ready Cash-Night Captain) held third after pressing the pace around the final bend and boxing Bold Eagle on the pegs until late-stretch, for reinsman Yoann Lebourgeois and owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. Winning teamster Bazire rated the front with Aubrion du Gers to keep Bold Eagle in the pocket until late in the lane. 18/1 Billie de Montfort and 123/1 Django Riff completed the top five.
Aubrion du Gers now heads to Solvalla for the Elitloppet late in May.
The 2/5 favorite Fadu du Chene (4m Singalo-Stardu Chene) took today’s monte Prix Henri Balliere (Gr. II, purse 100,000€, 2450 meters, 10 starters) clocked in 1.12.8kr and reined by jockey P.Ph. Ploquin for trainer Julien LeMer and breeder/owner Claude Guedj.
Fadu du Chene —LeTrot photo
He won for the 10th time in 17 career starts now for life earnings of 620,700€. 6.1/1 Feeling Cash (4m Ready Cash-Royale Star) took second for jockey Eric Raffin for owner Carlos Lerner and trainer Philippe Allaire. 9/1 Freeman de Houelle (4m Vigove) earned the third check with Yoann Lebourgeois in the irons for breeder/trainer Franck Leblanc.
Thomas H. Hicks