Perfect weather and great racing, including the Quinte+, at Enghien brought out the fans and the action began with the Prix de Notre Dame (purse 41,000 euro, 2150 meters autostart, 13 starters) and the legendary Jean Pierre Dubois was victorious with 1.15.6kr timed and 1.3/1 odds Folie Amoureuse (3f Coktail Jet-Tes Amours) for her third career win in seven starts, now for 46,480 euro earned.
Yves Boireau trains this rugged filly for Mr. Dubois and his Ecurie D was the breeder. She raced on the outer throughout before powering to the front. The 22/1 Fine Perle du Gite (3f Tabriz du Gite) was second ahead of 8.6/1 Fiorentina Somolli (3f Love You).
Today’s Quinte+ was at Enghien in the Prix de la Porte Montmartre (purse 54,000 euro, 2150 meters autostart, 16 entrants). The 1.12.9kr timed victory went to 5.4/1 Balfour (g Scipion du Goutier-Pay The Bill) with Gabriele Gelormini up for owner/trainer Robert Bergh.
The breeder was Marie Josee Nordin. 6.6/1 Usain Herna (8m Super Light-Kassandra Kuron) was second for trainer/driver Jorgen Westholm and third was 3.7/1 Capraio (6g Coktail Jet) for Matthieu Abrivard, trainer Rene Aebischer and Ecurie Rhythm & Blues.The 7.9/1 Tesauto (6g Filipp Roc) and 19/1 Romi Mms (8f Turbo Sund) were fourth and fifth and the Quinte exact order ticket paid 5,140 euro.
The day’s featured Gr. II Prix de Buenos-Aires (purse 120,000 euro, 4150 meters, 10 starters) went to rallying 2/5 favorite Cleangame (6f Ouragon de Celland-Red Bell) with trainer Jean Michel Bazire at the lines for Ecurie Jean Michel Rancoule.
The 28/1 Tony Gio (6m Varenne-Ilaria Jet) took second for Matthieu Abrivard, trainer Vincent Martens and owner Scuderia Bivans Srl. 7/2 Une Serenade (10f Gazouillis-Moonlight Serenade) was third with Eric Raffin aboard for trainer Serge Peltier. 56.1 As Dore and 14/1 Akim du Cap Vert captured fourth and fifth money. Race time was 1.17.7kr over the 2 and 9/16 miles plus distance.
The Gr. III Prix de Rome (purse 85,000 euro, 2150 meters autostart, 15 starters) was a competitive event that 10/1 Fifty Kalouma (3m Ready Cash-Sadaya de Cerisy) secured the victory for Clement Duvaldestin, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and breeder/owner Philippe Boff.
For the winner it was career win number three in nine appearances, now for 147,000 euro earned. 1.7/1 Follow You (3m Ready Cash-Mara Bourbon) rallied late to be second driven by Matthieu Abrivard for trainer Yves Boireau and owner Scuderia Bivans. Ecurie Dream With Me bred this one.
The 3.9/1 Fiorella de Ted (3f Up And Quick-Raviscarte Jo) took third with Franck Nivard up for trainer Franck Leblanc. 62/1 Fanina des Racques 3f Ready Cash) and 13/1 Zilath (3m Maharajah) were fourth and fifth, this pair reined by Eric Raffin and Andrea Guzzinati.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink