The 5.5/1 Defi Pierji (7g Roc Meslois-Overlinotte d’Yeu) took today’s first leg of the Gr. III Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf held at Amiens. The 2900 meters distance handicap event carried a purse of 85,000. The winner was timed in 1.13.6kr with Leo Abrivard up for trainer L.Cl. Abrivard, as he won for the ninth time in a career that has yielded 257,350€ in life earnings.
The 16/1 Desalla (7f Nonginio) was second with David Thomain aboard for trainer Alphonse Vanberghen. 4.1/1 Dextre Chatho, 53/1 Belle Louise Mabon and 12/1 Fashion Queen completed the top five and set up an exact order Quinte+ payoff of 32,058.40€. The Q+ pool was 3,511,108€ and over 7,682,000€ was wagered on the GNT race.
Defi Pierji
The March 9 Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote d’Azur now has 15 entrants with post positions to be drawn tomorrow. The distance is 1609 meters autostart and the purse is 170,000€ in this Gr. I International event. It is likely to be a very competitive race. The prior day at Cagnes sur Mer shows several one mile events to help spur interest in the great Speed Criterium.
Friday at Napoli marks the racing return of Zacon Gio, the 2019 Yonkers International winner. The Holger Ehlert trainee will appear in a 12,100€ purse Invitational against nine rivals. Roberto Vecchione will again be aboard Zacon Gio. Gio will start with a 40 meter handicap in this 2060 meters distance handicap event.
LeTrot, PMU, Gaet files
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink