On August 20 at Cagnes sur Mer the Grand Prix de la Ville de Nice (purse €75,000, 2925 meters, 11 European starters) went to the barefoot 7/10 harness racing favorite Baby Lou Max (5g Gazouillis-Kamaxie) for Nicolas Mortagne and trainer Philippe Mortagne. 8/1 Varus du Bocage (7, Paisy Dream-Noria du Bocage) was second ahead of 4.7/1 Slow duBeauvoisin (10g Jain de Beval-Gina du Beauvoisin). The winner was timed in 1.14.1kr.
August 20 at Graignes included the Prix de Saint-Hilaire-Petitville (purse €25,000, 2700 meters, 14 starters) with the 1.16.6kr clocked win to 13.6/1 Calicot du Vivier (4g Repeat Love-Kalika du Vivier) with owner Jean-Pierre Dubois driving. Yves Boireau trains the wined bred by Jean Yves Lucuyer. 14/1 Cow Boy Senoville (4g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree-Rive Magic) took second and 15/1 Caucasien (4g Rocklyn-Nuce de Plantine( ended third.
That day at Les Sables d’Olonne was the Prix de Talmont Saint Hilaire (purse €25,000, 2650 meters autostart, nine European starters). The 1.14.9kr timed win went to 1.3/1 favorite Anua (6g Coktail Jet-Nuit de Reve) racing shoeless for Eric Raffin. Ecurie Serge Bernereua is owner/breeder. 5.5/1 Speed Delicious (6m Fast Photo-Ala Delicious) was second for Yann Lorin, trainer Fabrice Souloy and owner Mattias Ludvigsson of Sweden. 4.6/1 Aprion took third.
Craon turf trotting on Sunday August 21st included the Prix Ianthin (purse €28,000, 2775 meters, 15 turf trotters) with the 1.22.5kr timed victory to 22/1 Ugophenio (8g Quadrophenio-Kia du Fossey) for trainer/driver Denis Bethouart for owner Ecurie P.G. David. 7/10 favorite Arthuro Boy (6m Le Retour-Guyane) was second for owner/breeder/trainer/driver Yves Dreux. Third went to 38/1 Veleury Derro (7g Kesaco Phedo-Jestine Derro) for the Leblanc team.
Thomas H. Hicks