October 17, 2017 – Solid FR trotting action took place this week at Paris-Vincennes and Saint Galmier. The Tuesday evening harness racing action was at Paris-Vincennes where Eureka Vrie won a three year old Gr. III monte test named the Prix Phact. Other interesting wins on that program were posted by Daring Lorraine, Eternelle Delo and Feeling Cash.
The card opened with the Prix Ludovica (purse €75,000, 2850 meters, 12 four year old females) and the 1.13.2kr timed winner was 14.3/1 Darling Lorraine (4f Goetmals Wood-Pinoche du Rib) with trainer Franck Anne piloting for Ecurie AB Trot. 9/2 odds Diana de Chatelet (4f Real de Lou-Trade de Chatelet) was a distance second for trainer/driver Aymeric Thomas, ahead of 11.7/1 Doria Dasbois (4f In Love With You-Ivanez).
The Prix Ophiucus (purse €52,000, 2850 meters, 12 starters three year old fillies) was next and 2/1 Eternelle Delo (3df Saxo de Vandel-Princesse Royale) was victorious driven by Gabriele Gelormini. 21/1 Elisa de Belfonds (3f Tornado Bello-Taifa) was a rallying second for Thomas Levesque, as the trainer/owner. 8.1/1 Extra Cadette (3f Offshore Dream-Ma Cadette) finished third for Eric Raffin. 17.4/1 Earth Victory (3f Prodigious) was fourth for Etienne Dubois and Electra Green (3f Texas Charm) ended fifth for Julien Dubois.
The Prix Algina (purse €38,000, 2200 meters, 11 two year old colt starters) went to the impressive 3.3/1 Feeling Cash (2m Ready Cash-Royale Star) with Yoann Lebourgeois up. Philippe Allaire trains this colt for Carlos Lerner. He scored for the second time in four career outings. 2.1/1 Fric du Chene (2m Nobody du Chene-Oseille du Chene) was second with Matthieu Abrivard aboard. 14.7/1 First In Love (2m Goetmals Wood-Just In Love) was a good closing third for Etienne Dubois, driving for owner Jean Pierre Dubois and trainer Yves Boireau.
The Gr. III Prix Phact (purse €65,000, 2850 meters, nine monte starters) wrapped up the Tuesday Paris-Vincennes program and the 1.16.3kr timed winner was 9.4/1 Eureka Vrie (3m First de Retiz-Intrigue de Vrie) handled by Mathieu Mottier for trainer/owner Th. Chalom. A distant four lengths second was 3.8/1 Eclat de Verre (3m Ludo de Castelle) with Eric Raffin in the irons for owner/trainer Jacques Bruneau. 19.9/1 Ensoleille (3g Singalo) was home third.
Today’s 11th leg of the Gr. III National Quinte+ Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (purse €90,000, 2625 meters distance handicap, 18 starters) was a very competitive contest start to finish, at several occasions with four tiers in the battle. The usual huge audience was on track for the series of 13 GNT races. Victory was earned by 5.8/1 Classic Way (5m Prodigious-Pole Position) reined by Eric Raffin for owner St. Szvarc and trainer Philippe Billard. Jean Philippe Dubois bred this winner that bested 1.8/1 favorite Chicago Blues (5m Prodigious-New Orleans) handled by trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. 2.9/1 Calin de Morge (5g Ozio Royal-Paradise Princess) took third for Franck Nivardm driving for trainer David Haon and Ecurie HD Trot. Two 25 meter handicapped entrants were fourth and fifth, 73/1 Tallien driven by Herve Sionneau, and 20/1 Venus de Bailly with Jean Boillereau the pilot. Quine+ payoffs and photos follow.
The GNT is all about competitive racing and a broader audience across smaller markets.
Thomas H. Hicks