The Gr. III Prix de L’lle d’Oleron (monte, purse 110,000€, 2850 meters, nine starters) was the day’s featured event and 1.4/1 Clegs des Champs (6g Legs du Clos-Proserpine) scored for jockey David Thomain, trainer Thierry Raffegeau and owner J-Y Roze.
The winner scored for the tenth time in 21 career starts, now for 343,830€ earned. 17/1 Amour Fou (8g Meaulnes du Corta) took second with Franck Nivard in the irons for trainer Raffegeau and owner Roze. The 3/2 favorite Bugsy Malone (7g Ready Cash-Night Captain) took third after a valiant effort, with Yoann Lebourgeois up for owner/trainer Philippe Allaire.
The Prix de Belfort (purse 64,000€, 2700 meters, 14 starters) went to 1.13.5kr timed and 1.3/1 odds Dexter Chatho (5g Un Amour d’Haufor-Naoyama) with owner/trainer Christian Bigeon up. The winner scored for the seventh time in 19 career starts. 5/1 Dollar Soyer (5g Phlegyas) was second for Anthony Barrier, ahead of 77/1 Doum Jenilou (5g Rancho Gede).
The Prix d’Aix les Bairs (purse 37,000€, 2700 meters. 15 starters, three year old males) saw 9/10 favorite Freeport (3m Texas Charm-Nouvelle d’Atout) score timed in 1.16.3kr for trainer/driver J-M Bazire and owner Mme. Ottavia Roffi-Urano. This colt recorded his fourth career win in six starts. 32/1 Filou des Tyll (3g Rancho Gede) was second for Matthieu Mottier and 38/1 Fynio du Pollereux (3g Timoko) was third for Franck Ouvrie.
The Prix des Castres (purse 50,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 18 starters, four year old females) went to 1.13.9kr timed and 5.5/1 odds Evita de Reux (4f Goetmals Wood-Tensita Love) with owner/trainer Matthieu Abrivard driving.
She scored for the seventh time in 18 career outings. The 5/10 favorite Ella de Mai (4f Neutron du Cebe) was second for owner/trainer/driver J-M Bazire and 18/1 Electra du Vivier (4f Password) took third with Sebastian Ernault up for breeder/owner/trainer J-Y Lecuyer.
The 1.9/1 odds favorite Emiliano (4m Love You-Quarda du Rib) took the Prix d’Annecy (purse 50,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 15 starters) timed in 1.12.6kr. Trainer J-M Bazire piloted the now eight time winner in 19 career starts for breeder/owner Ecurie des Charmes.
The 2.1/1 Eadshot Josselyn (4g The Best Madrik) was second with Gabriele Gelormini up for trainer Paul Hagoort and Stable Why Not. 24/1 Ekoango de Nile (4g Olimede) took third for David Thomain.
Saturday's Quinte+ event was the Prix Mizar (purse 52,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 16 European starters) that went to the 29/1 outsider Costa Haufor (6f Saphir d’Haufor-Santa Haufor) with Charles J. Bigeon driving. Christian Bigeon bred, owns and trains this winner that now shows six career victories in 30 starts.
The 2.1/1 favorite Bryssel (6m Ready Cash-Spacelane) held second for trainer/driver Bjorn Goop and third was 26/1 Chtiot de Bellande (6m Defi d’Aunou) with Anthony Barrier up. 4.2/1 Sahara One (6g Raja Mirchi) and 68/1 Caresse (6f Ready Cash) completed the exact order top five that paid 86,429.40€ to the 2€ winning ticketholders.
The same Saturday harness racing card produced victory for the undefeated (now three starts) and 2/5 favorite Foxtrot Nobless (3g Quinoa du Gers-Matthiole) reined by J-M Bazire for owner J-M Rancoule in the Prix Vulpecule (purse 35,000€, 2100 meters autostart, ten starters).
The 32/1 Flash de Lune (3g Redlight Jet) was second for David Thomain and 25/1 Full Aux Rois (3g Tucson) was third for Thierry Duvaldestin. Race time was 1.15.3kr.
Two year olds battled in the Prix Siwa A (purse 28,000€, 2200 meters, 12 starters) with a 1.17kr timed victory earned by the 5/10 favorite Golden Bridge (2m Ready Cash-Usenza) with Yoann Lebourgeois up for trainer Philippe Allaire and breeder/owner Michel Tessier.
Golden Bridge earned his second victory in three career starts by defeating 25/1 Gassman d’Essa (2m Quido du Goutier) with Francois Lagadeuc up. 46/1 Grand Cru Lorrain (2m Coktail Jet) was third.
The B division of the Prix Siwa (purse 28,000€, 2200 meters, 12 starters, two year olds) went to 1.17.6kr timed and 60/1 Gelati Cut (2m Coktail Jet-Variety Cut) with Gabriele Gelormini up for trainer Romain Charles Larue and breeder/owner Ecurie de Windcut.
The 2.1/1 Granaggiolo (2m Timoko) was second and 41/1 Gold de la Cote (2m Ready Cash-Uranie des Elfes) was third, this one owned and trained by Sebastien Guarato and reined by Eric Raffin.
Sunday at Vincennes is the first “B” leading to the 2019 Prix d’Amerique. The lineup follows headed by Bold Eagle.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink