October 20, 2017 – This evening showcased the Friday harness racing action before a good after work crowd and showcasing the day’s Quinte+ event. The program began with an upper class sprinters contest that went to favorite Comtesse du Chene and driver Franck Nivard. Summary follows:
Prix Klymene (purse €75,000, 2100 meters autostart, nine European starters)
Race time 1.14.2kr
3/5 Comtesse du Chene (5f Quaker Jet-Imperiele du Chene), Franck Nivard, J. LeMer trainer, Cl. Guedj owner
3.9/1 Tentation Ans (5f Muscles Yankee-Coronation Ans), J-M Bazire driver, Scuderia Phenomenia Srl, Philippe Billard trainer
15.7/1 Calencia (5f Quaker Jet-Olencia), Eric Raffin driver, owner/breeder/trainer Alphonse Vanderghen
Next the Q+ was contested by 18 upper class trotters with Bakchich victorious for driver Tony LeBeller. See the summary below:
Quinte+ Prix Themis (purse €65,000, 2850 meters distance handicap, 18 European starters)
Racer time 1.12.4kr
2.2/1 Bakchich (6g Quopeck-Paix de Villeneuve), Tony LeBeller, J.M. Legros trainer
15.1/1 Rocket Zet (8g Muscles Yankee-Hefty Zet), Franck Nivard, Mme. Kaisa Torvonen trainer
5/2 Beppe Am (6g Enjoy Lavec-Via di Jesolo), Matthieu Abrivard up, Bjorn Goop trainer
13.6/1 Bel Air (6g Ganymede-Kaldeira), Alexandre Abrivard, owner/trainer Franck Boismartel
21.9/1 Spirit Real (6g Supergill-Civetta Real), Francois Lagadeuc, Thomas Levesque trainer
Monte performers were on display.
The Prix Athamantis (monte, purse €75,000, 2850 meters, 12 european starters) produced a close finish with front running 2.7/1 Corames (5f Speedy Bliue-Reine Magic) holding on for the 1.12.8kr timed victory with Mathieu Mottier in the irons. Dominique Mottier is trainer/owner/breeder of the winner that bested hard finishing 1.1/1 favorite Dreole Verderie (4g Kalusphenio) with David Thomain up for Emilie LeBeller, the trainer. Next was 12.6/1 Caid de Bangale (5g Lou Lou Jet).
Tomorrow is the Q+ is the Prix de la Ville de Caen (purse €80,000, 4400 meters distance handicap, 18 international starters) with the entrants led by Val Royal and Uniflosa Bella, both handicapped 25 meters, and Alienor de Godrel that starts 50 meters back.
At Orebro SWE is the day’s V75 and the Gold Division is named the Express Gaxe (150,000SEK to winner) and that field is led by Nuncio from post one with trainer Stefan Melander listed to drive. He will face rivals that include Poochai, Spring Erom, Charrua Forlan and Tobin Kronos.
Thomas H. Hicks