December 2, 2018 – Today’s featured harness racing Gran National du Trot Paris-Turf Finale at Vincennes, Gr.II, purse 150,000€, 2850 meters distance handicap, 18 starters, followed 13 legs in regional venues throughout the summer-fall racing season.
The 7.4/1 odds and 25 meter handicapped Ble du Gers (7g Quinoa du Gers-Moorea) scored in a quick 1.12.2kr. Alexandre Abrivard teamed the winner of trainer J-M Bazire and owner J-M Rancoule. He recorded victory 17 in a 50 brace career that has now earned 634,860€. 1
0/1 odds Ceylan Dairpet (6g Ouragon de Celland-Rosy MIP), also penalized 25 meters, took second for trainer/driver Tony LeBeller. The 3/5 favorite and 25 meter handicapped Cleangame (6g Ouragon de Celland-Red Bell) landed third for trainer/driver Bazire and owner Rancoule. 57/1 Utile Lebel (10g Biesolo) was fourth for Eric Raffin and fifth was 62/1 Best du Hauty (7g Roc Meslois) for owner/trainer/driver Olivier Bizoux.
The GNT Paris-Turf was the day’s Quinte+ event and a 2€ exact order ticket returned 62,737.20€. Total handle on the race exceeded 10.6€ million.
Monte performers contested the Gr. II Prix Philippe du Rozier (monte, purse 120,000€, eight starters) and in a close finish the victory went to 5.1/1 Exotica de Retz (4f Prodigious-Quayaya) ridden by jocket Mme. Delphine Beaufils-Ernault for trainer Sebastien Ernault and owner Ecurie des Charmes. Race time was a quick 1.11.8kr, and the win was career victory four in 19 starts for the winner now of 318,950€. Even-money favorite Elladora de Forges (4f Gazouillis-Hamina) was second with jockey Franck Nivard in the irons for traiuner Frabck Leblanc and owner S.J. Dupont. 9/1 Etoile de Bruyere (4f Kenor de Cosse) was third for Adrien Lamy and owner/trainer Ch. Dreux. The 2.2/1 odds and well-respected Etonnant was a dq.
The Gr. III LeTGrot Open des Regions 4Ans (purse 85,000€, 2850 meters, 12 starters) saw the 1.14.1kr timed ans 7/10 favorite Evrik de Guez (4g Un Mec d’Heripre-Quoumbaya de Guez) score for trainer J-M Bazire for Ecurie Vautors. The winner earned his 10th career win in 15 starts nie for 171,000€ earned. 4.9/1 Eden de Banville (4m Look de Star) was second for DSavid Thomain and 8.4/1 Elixir du Bocage (4g Un Mec d’Heripre) was third for driver Franck Nivard and trainer Erno Szirmany.
The Gr. III LeTrot Open des Regions 3Ans (purse 85,000€, 2850 meters, eight starters) produced victory for 37/1odds Favorite Fligny (3f Rockefeller Center-Africa Fligny) timed in 1.14.4kr and reined by Sylvain Dieudonne for trainer Gregory Thorel and Ecurie de Pinsonniere. This winner for the fifth time in a 20 start career now for 128,670€ earned. 19/1 Free Rider (3m Love You-Sardaigne) was second with Benoit Robin up for trainer J.L. Bigeon. 5.6/1 Fakir du Lorault (3m Vaillant Cash) was third.
The Gr. III LeTrot Open des Regions 5Ans (purse 85,000€, 2850 meters, 12 starters) had Diablu d’Herfraie (5g Jasmin de Flore-Slice d’Herfraie) score timed in 1.13.5kr for David Thomain. Off at 8/1 odds the winner is trained by J.P. Thomain for Ecurie du Haras d’Erable. Diablo scored for the eighth time in 22 career starts for 136,160€ earned. 3.9/1 Doux Parfum (5g Singalo-Lambada Jet) was second for Eric Raffin and third went to 2.6/1 Diamant du Lupin (5g Jasmin de Flore) reined by Adrien Lamy.
The Prix Miss Hippodrome (purse 54,000€, 2850 meters) produced an impressive 1.13.5kr timed victory by 3.7/1 Cocktail Fortuna (9g Love You-Dalloah NO) reined by Gabriele Gelormini for trainer Robert Bergh and Sandra Racing Stable. The win increased the career earnings of the winner to 230,296€. 32/1 Casting de Chenu (6m Baccarat du Pont) took second money for Tony LeBeller and third was 8/1Black Jack From (7g Scipion du Goutier) with Eric Raffin up.
Thomas H. Hicks