February 11, 2017 – Horse racing at the FR Caribbean island of Martinique took place Saturday with two trotting and six gallop events on the program at Hippodrome de Martinque (http://hippodromedecarrere.fr/) near the Aeroport International Martinique near Fort-de-France.
The racecourse offers pari-mutuel wagering and offers racing 14 days each year by the Societe des Courses de Madinina.
The trotting featured Prix de Begonias (purse €5,000, 3800 meters distance handicap, volt start) on the turf course (1,200 meters) went to veteran Titan Pierji (10g Jardy-Kora Pierji) with owner/trainer Lora Duplessis-Kerjomard at the lines, his second straight victory. The winner overcame a 25 meters handicap to score in 1.20.3kr, to increase his career earnings to over €65,200. Vlatou des Salines (8g Magnificent Rodney-Griffe des Salines) finished second for Jean Luc Longeron, also owner/trainer, and also penalized 25 meters at the start. Aulady Tartifume (7f Jeanbat du Vivier-Lady du Tartifume) landed third for driver Alexandre Faivre and owner/trainer Edmond Langeron.
The Prix des Tulipes “Challenge de la Martinique” (purse €5,000, 3800 meters distance handicap, volt start) went to Quamalox de Guez (13g Dahir de Prelong-Egyptia de Salomon), timed in 1.24.5kr in rein to Benoit Magdeleine, also trainer/owner. This career winner of over €111,000 bested the 50 meter handicapped Usly de Visais (9g Defi d’Aunou-Pristine Jet) with Jean Luc Langeron driving.Tosca de Logis (10f Islero de Bellouet-Maria du Logis) was third for Alexandre Faivre.
Martinique is an insular region of France located in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a population of about 385,000.. Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France. One of the Windward Islands, Martinique is directly north of Saint Lucia, southeast of Puerto Rico, northwest of Barbados, and south of Dominica, and is one of the eighteen regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the French Republic. With France, it is part of the European Union and the currency is the euro. The official language is French, and much of the population also speak Antillean Creole. Martinique is a well-known vacation destination with air service from European markets, Venezuela, Canada, Caribbean locations and the United States. Horse racing also awaits the island tourists.
Thomas H. Hicks