May 22, 2015 – The opener this evening at Vincennes went to 15/1 outsider Regio (5m Varenne-Leopardia) in the Pris Constellation (€50,000 purse, 2700 meters, 18 European starters). Clocked in 1.14.1kr the winner was teamed by Pierre Vercruysse for harness racing trainer Paul Hagoort and Holland’s owner Ecurie Victoria Park. 19/1 Andalovsie (5f Ganymede-Napoula) was second for Jacques Bruneau ahead of 72/1 Atino de l’Ormerie (5g Qualmio de Vandel-Padine du Lac and reinsman Bertrand Le Beller.
The Quinte+ Prix Ville de Nogent-Sur-Marne (€90,000 purse, 2100 meters autostart, 14 European starters) produced a thrilling dead-heat timed in 1.11.7kr between peg-side rallying Scarlet Turgot (9f Dahir de Prelong-Noella de Massy) for Eric Raffin and red-hot Ustinof du Vivier. This 9/1 co-winner is trained by Y-A Briand. 2/5 pacesetting favorite Ustinof du Vivier (7g Look de Star-Melba du Vivier) and Mathieu Abrivard led a quick pace, drifted out in stretch and then re-rallied to equal Scarlet Turgot on the line. Sebastian Guarato trains this one. Spain’s consistent 15/1 Trebol (8m Hot Blues-Sally Can Wait) closed for third for trainer/driver Gabriel-Angel Pou Pou. 17/1 Tornardo Bello with Thomas Levesque and 15/1 Viking de Val and pilot Eric Lambertz were next in this upper level field. The top two appear to be “elite” level players at this time.
Tonight’s Vincennes feature was the Gr. II Prix Ozo (€120,000 purse, 2175 meters, 11 starters). The 1.13.5kr winner was Cosmic Girl (3f Sam Bourbon-Oriane Jolie) at 59/1 for Pierre Vercruysse, a longshot double for the veteran teamster. Gerard Laurent trains. Favorite at .5/1 was Ciperla Mag (3f Quaker Jet-Perle du Ravary) that was second for JM Bazire ahead of 56/1 Clea Madrik (3f Prince d’Espace-Paisy Tivoli) for owner/trainer/driver Benoit Robin.
On the excellent Vincennes nocturnal card the Prix Sirrah (€55,000 purse, 2850 meters, 16 starters) went to the 1.13.2kr winner Universal Rider (7m Nahar de Beval-Hanska) at even-money for Mathieu Mottier. 20/1 Undici (7g Kaiser Soze-Jobeth) was second for reinsman Pierre Vercruysse and trainer Alain Roussel ahead of 13/1 Solo de Val (9g Sobrazac-Girl Villa) in rein to owner/trainer Eric Lambertz.
At La Cepiere this day the Grand Prix Dynavena Maisagri Duran (€35,000 purse, 2325 meters, 13 European starters) was conducted with the 1.14.3kr winner the 2.2/1 odds Uno de Montauran (7m Sancho Panca-Nijinskaya) with Denis Brossard up. 5.2/1 Royal Blessed (5m Varenne-Ivory Kronos) was next to the line for trainer/driver Wilhelm Paal with third to 5/1 Let Win and owner/trainer/driver J-H Treich.
Thomas H. Hicks