July 25, 2015 – Bird Parker (4m Ready Cash-Belisha) rallied mid-stretch for Joseph Verbeeck to take a three length victory in today’s Prix de Milan (Gr. III, 2150 meters autostart, purse €85,000, 14 European starters) at Enghien-Soisy.
Philippe Allaire trains Bird Parker for owner Elisabeth Allaire that was off at 6.5/1 odds.
Stablemate Brillantissime (4m Ready Cash-Invre de Victoire) with Pierre Vercruysse up, off at 7.3/1 odds, was away for the early lead and then enjoyed a pocket journey until early stretch when he slipped through on the pegs and looked like a winner until late. Philippe Allaire also trains Brillantissime, for owner Frederic Sauque.
The 1.2/1 favorite Billie de Montfort (4f Jasmin de Flore-Quismy de Montfort) started from post three and traveled close up on the outer throughout until moving to a short lead at top of stretch. She appeared to take a bad step, faltered and was settled by teamster Eric Raffin and then rejoined the fight to finish third beaten four lengths.
Billie is trained by Fabrice Souloy and is owned by Philippe Dauphin.
25/1 Beauty Turgot (4f Hand du Vivier-Quourgame) was fourth for Franck Nivard and trainer Souloy with fifth to 11/1 Black d’Avril (4m Oceano Nox-Olivia d’Avril) with Franck Ouvrie the pilot for trainer Frederic Prat.
This race was the day’s Quinte+ with a jackpot of €5,050,000.
Bird Parker was clocked in 1.13.1kr off steady fractions (1.13.2kr at 1000; 1.13.4kr at 500).
Win and place handle only on this race exceeded €1,143,000.
Thomas H. Hicks