December 1, 2016 – 1.2/1 favorite Daida de Vandel (3f Real de Lou-Gallia de Vandel) held off two others to secure victory in the harness racing Gr. III monte Prix Urgent (purse €90,000, 2700 meters, 8 starters) at Paris-Vincennes. Alexandre Abrivard reined the winner for trainer L.Cl. Abrivard and owner Ch. Germain. 23/1 Dino de Jilme (3g Orsy Dream-Une du Maine) was a close second for P.Y. Verva and 9/1 Dragon d’Avril (3m Thorens Vedaquais-Sirene d’Avril) landed third for jockey Adrien s’Avril and owner/trainer Sebastian Houyrey. The winner was clocked in 1.16.5kr off even fractions.
The Gr. II monte Prix Paul Buquet (purse €120,000, 2850 meters, 12 starters) for upper class trotters went to 7.7/1` Veloce du Banney (7g Quaro-Java du Banney) and jockey Franck Nivard. Franck Leblanc trains the winner for Ecurie du Grand Buisson. 2.9/1 Nene’Degli Dei (9g Uconn Roc-Maureen Lobell) from Italy was a close second for Alexandre Abrivard, and trainer Vincent Lacroix. 12/1 Texas de l’Iton (9g Cygnus d’Odyssee-Iliadra de l’Iton) took third for Mathieu Mottier and trainer Hughes Levesque, ahead of 4/1 Tornade du Digeon (9f Jag de Bellouet-Herlane du Terme) with Eric Raffin up for trainer J-M Bazire. 1.9/1 The Tiger (9g Nelson de Vandel-Notre Dame Bourbon) was fifth for Damien Bonne and owner/trainer Benjamin Goetz. Time for the winner was 1.14.5kr.
Veloce du BanneyThe Prix d’Angles (purse €60,000, 2700 meters, 9 starters) went to 51/1 Douceur de Vivre (3f Rocklyn-Resless) that rallied between rivals to win for breeder/driver Jean-Philippe Dubois. Philippe Moulin trains this one for Ecurie Victoria Dreams. 5.4/1 Diamond Crown (3f Repeat Love-Ma Crown) was second for Mathieu Mottier, trainer Sebastian Guarato, owner Lady O’Reilly and breeder Ecurie D. 6.1/1 Doria Desbois (3f In Love With You-Ivaniez) was third
Action returns to Vincennes tomorrow with the Gr. III Prix Ourasi for two year olds. Everest Vedaquais is the likely favorite. On Saturday three groupe events highlight the program along with the eighth edition of the Prix des Rencontres Internationale. Sunday’s program include five groupe contests headed by the €150,000 purse Grand National du Trot Finale.
Swedishman, Val Royale and Ultimate du Rib are in the Gr. II field that will battle over 2850 meters.
Thomas H. Hicks