February 14, 2017 – The Quinte+ today at Paris-Vincennes was the Prix de Bercy A (purse €46,000, 2850 meters, 18 European starters) with a rallying harness racing victory timed in 1.15.1kr for 61.8/1 outsider Balzac de Souvigne (6g Lontzac-Jalna de Souvigne). Michel Lenoir reined and trains the winner. He bested 19.6/1 Bolero du Levant (6g Ludo de Castgelle-Laluska) and driver Eric Raffin. Third was 39.4/1 Owen Face (6g Gift Kronos-Muscle McNuggets) for Pierre Vercruysse and Sweden’s owner/trainer Lutfi Kolgjini. 13.7/1 Bolide du Guet (6g Fortuna Fant) and teamster Franck Nivard and 5.2/1 Staro Italy (m Make It Happen), also from Sweden, reined by Christophe Martens were the next pair to the finish.
The Prix de Bercy B (purse €46,000, 2850 meters, 14 European starters) on the program, was captured by 19.7/1 Solar da Meda (6m Goetmals Wood-Desiree du Louvre) reined by Roberto Andreghetti for Italy’s Salvatore Minopoli, the trainer, and Scuderia Sole Che Sorgi, the owner. 11.2/1 Blason d’Ecajeul (6g Orlando Vici-Melody d’Ecajeul) was second for driver/trainer/owner Christian Bigeon, and 5.2/1 favorite Schubert (6m Abano As-Glide Be Nimble) was third for pilot Pierre Vercruysse, trainer Erwin Bot and owner Gerrits Recycling BV of Holland. Race time was 1.14.7kr.
Twitter (8g Offshore Dream-Face For Ever) won this day’s Pick5 Prix de Chateau-Gontier (purse €54,000, 2100 meters autostart, 18 European starters) clocked in a quick 1.12.2kr (fractions 1.09.4kr at 1500 remaining; 1.10,3kr at the 1000; 1.12.5kr at 500). Bjorn Goop was the winning owner/trainer/reinsman. Off at 13.6/1 Twitter bested 11.3/1 Speed Delicious (7m Fast Photo-Ala Delicious) for driver Franck Nivard, Swedish owner Mattias Ludvigsson and trainer Ph. Billard. 1.6/1 favorite Aulis du Courtille (7g Buvetier d’Aunou-Miss du Courtille) was third for J-M Bazire, ahead of 51/1 Twins Fairytale and 34/1 Quarter OF An Hour.
Thomas H. Hicks
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