July 20, 2019 – Longines (5f Conway Hall-Kentucky Love Song-Valley Victor) won for the 13th time Saturday in 14 harness racing career starts, this one in the Bizalmas DIJ (purse 400,000Huf, 1800 meters autostart) timed in 1.14.9kr.
Andrea Fazekas perfectly teamed the winner for owner Pimri and trainer Imre Fazekas, as the team was away quickly to the front, rated the middle 800 meters, and sprinted away from rivals in the lane.
It was Longines third win in four 2019 starts.
Germany’s Kornelius Heitmann bred the winner.
She was off the 1.8/1 favorite and bested 5.3/1 Iago d’Amore (5m Mego d’Amore-Indyran-Uronometro with Andor Angyal aboard.
Third went to 12/1 Zaneboro (4m Frullino Jet-Corolla Jet-Park Avenue Joe) handled by Serbia’s Branislav Mukity.
The same day in France at Cagnes Sur Mer was the Prix de la Baie des Anges (orpurse 53,000€, 2925 meters, 11 starters) and that event went to 31/1 Voeland (10m Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree-Oquita d’Haricourt) with Stefan Stevens the pilot for trainer Mark De Cock.
The victory raised the winner’s life earnings to 389,584€ although it was only his eighth career win in 143 starts.
Even-money favorite Bulle de Laumont (8f Hand du Vivier) took second with Stephane Cingland her trainer/driver, ahead of 6.6/1 Bad Boy du Dollar (9m Magnificent Rodney) with Christophe Martens up. Race time was 1.14.3kr.
Thomas H. Hicks