Variety – venue, track surface (including turf), distance, direction – defined the mid-week trotting action in France. Germany and Switzerland and defined what attracts harness racing fans and wagering. The industry should open eyes and ears and invite successful racing elements to be included in their programs.
Vire FR hosted the Q+ Prix Ville de Vire-Normandie (purse €35,000, 2800 meters, 18 starters) and 13.8/1 Arno de Bossens (6g One du Rib-Quaifa du Rib) emerged for victory with reinsman J.L. Cl. Dersoir, trainer Joel Hallais and Ecurie Rib. 5.8/1 Arlequine d’Em (6f Nahar de Beval-Quarina Rose) took second for trainer/driver Tony Le Beller and Ecurie d’Em. 9.2/1 Al Capone Jet (6m Jag de Bellouet-Passion du Morgane) was third for David Thomain. 46/1 Bruyere du Rib (5f Kaiser Soze-Inopaline) was fourth forJoel Hallais. Fifth was 4.9/1 Verzee Carisaie (7f Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree-Harmonie Carisaie) with Eric Raffin aboard. Even-money favorite Bugsy Malone was a dq for being off-stride.
This day’s Gelsenkirchen Germany program brought out several highly recognized performers. The Preis Von Wolvega (purse €5,000, 2000 meters autostart, nine International starters) went to 3/10 favorite Beckman (9g Turbo Sund-Nins Palema) timed in 1.14.1kr. Cees F. Kamminga drove the Ecurie Commander owned veteran.
The Gelsenkirchen Jugerd Preis Trial 2 (purse €8,000, 1609 meters autostart, 10 international starters) went to Stall Habo owned and 9/2 odds On Vogue (2f Cantab Hall-Olly Lane). H.U. Bornmann trained the 1.17kr timed winner that was piloted by legendary Heinz Wewering. 5.1/1 Masters Design (2g Marco di Jesolo-Bonafide Bo Bo) took second for trainer/driver Dion P. TResselaar. 3/1 Mary Ann J (2f Love You-Mariann) was third for driver Korelli Kluth ad trainer/owner Marion A. Jaub.
Well regarded Cash Hanover (4m Love You-Impasse) at 1.7/1 took the Preis Von Son Pardo (purse €5,000, 2000 meters autostart, 19 International starters) for driver Michael Nimczyk. Ulrich Mommert owns the 1.15.6kr clocked winner that began from post 10. 1.8/1 Falcon Dragon (4m Love You-Marianne Dragon) took second for trainer/driver Hugo Langeweg and Dragon Trotters BV. 32/1 Paolendry Like (7g Enjoy Lavec-Volterra Bi) was third for owner/driver Huibert V.D. Heuvel.
Marseille-Borely showcased good racing this day with the Prix du Verdon (purse €26,000, 3000 meters, 15 starters). 49/1 Arezzo Vici (6g Look de Star-Orizaba Vici) scored in this one for Denis Bekaert, trainer Yannick Briand and Ecurie des Charmes.
At Avenches turf trotting was on display in the Trophee des Espoirs Suisse (purse €11,080, 2000 meters autostart, 10 starters). The 1.22kr clocked victor was 12/1 Dal Cuore (3g Real de Lou-Senora de Lou) for trainer/driver Adrian Burger for Stall Nyburg.
Monte specialists were at Cabourg this day as 14 contested the Prix des Jusquiames (purse €55,000, 2850 meters distance handicapped, four year-olds). 2.7/1 odds, 1.15.4kr timed, Corona Gede (4f Insert Gede-Exquise Gede), racing barefoot, took victory for Yoann Lebourgeois. Tony Le Beller trains the winner for Ecurie Nicolas Ensch. 17/1 Casting de l’Aumoy (4g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree-Qualla de Vive) was second and third went to 37/1 Campus du Rib (4m One du Rib-Oraison du Rib) with J.L.Cl. Dersoir up for Joel Hallais.
Clairefontaine-Deauville FR hosted turf trotting this day and the Prix Scipion du Goutier (purse €25,000, 2900 meters, 16 starters) went to 5.7/1, 1.18.9kr timed, Compromise de Laval (4m Opium-Geribin du Donjon) with trainer Thomas Levesque aboard. Pierre Levesque owns this winner. 6.7/1 Cauziki du Rib (4g Ouragan de Celland-Oclara du Rib) was second for Mme. Carine Hallair-Dersoir, trainer Joel Hallais and Ecurie Rib, the owner/breeder. 2.7/1 Cho Oym Vedaquais (4g Saxo de Vandel-Rotonde) finished third for driver Clement Duvaldestin and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin.
The Prix Repeat Love at Clairefontaine (purse €30,000, 2900 meters, 16 starters) went to 1.19.4kr timed, 3/1 odds Arthuro Boy (6m Le Retour-Guyana) with breeder/trainer/owner/drivcer Yves Dreux. 16.5/1 Anti Doctor (6g Gazouillis-Miss Olympia) landed second with Yoann Lebourgeois up for trainer Philippe Daugeard. 50/1 Vanillette (7f Lord du Pin-Etoile de Rivray) was third for trainer/driver Jean Morice.
The turf monte Prix Unique Quick Et Tango Quick (purse €18,000, 2200 meters, 11 starters, apprentice jockeys) went to 1.198kr timed, 11.6/1 odds American Love (6g Quick de la Loge-Madone du Pin). Mlle. Neomie Hardy teamed the winner for trainer Sebastien Hardy and breeder/owner Thierry Lucuyer. 13.8/1 A Way To Paris (6g One du Rib-Prime Way Carless) took the second spot for Pierre Sorais and owner/trainer Willy Michel, ahead of 17.4/1 Banco Piya (5g Milord Drill-Oh Monika) teamed by Mille. Emeline Desmigneux for trainer Patrick Bac.
This day’s action at Pornichet FR included several interesting winners. The Prix de Guerande (purse €32,000, 2725 meters, 12 starters) went to 4.9/1 Amazone du Mont (6f Derby du Gite-Ostia du Mont). Trainer Franck Delanue teamed the 1.15.1kr clocked winner.
The Prix de Challans (purse €20,000, 2725 meters, 11 starters) went to 5/1 Codex Bourbon (4g Ready Cash-Smara Bourbon) timed in 1.16.7kr. Matthieu Abrivard piloted the winner, one that he also trains, for breeder/owner Ecurie du Haras de Saint Martin. The winner’s second dam Herba Bourbon (And Arifant-Cartinoa-Granit) was a US$550,000 earner.
The monte Prix Echo de la Presquile (purse €30,000, 2725 meters, 14 European starters) went to quick timed 1.13.5kr winner Arius de Douet (6g Oyonnax-Nakita du Douet) that Eric Raffin teamed for trainer Sebastian Guarato.
Thomas H. Hicks