February 13, 2017 – A good Monday program of trotting action occurred today at Paris-Vincennes featuring a collection of largely fillies/mares mid-level contests The Prix de Juan Las Pins (purse €46,000, 2850 meters, 14 European starters) went to 1.15kr timed and 21.2/1 odds Bahames Quick (6f Pim Quick-Kooriakine) for Franck Nivard, trainer Franck Leblanc and Ecurie Quick Star, the breeder/owner. 9/10 favorite Basic (6f Sam Bourbon-Buwarienne) from Sweden was second for trainer/driver Bjorn Goop and owner Stall Arvidssons, with third to 7.6/1 Berkane and driver Eric Raffin.
The monte specialists competed in the Prix des Montebourg (purse €45,000, 2175 meters, 12 starters). The quick 1.12.7kr timed victory went to 7/10 favorite Birgitt Menuet (f Prodigious-Roxane Menuet) for owner/trainer/jockey Matthieu Abrivard. 5.2/1 Benjamine Gede (6f Insert Gede-Niquette Gede) was second for Damien Bonne with 11.6/1 Breeders Cup (6f Roc Meslois-Onglette) home third.
5/2 Caracas (5f The Best Madrik-Menthe Fraiche) took the Prix de Darnetal (purse €46,000, 2700 meters, 12 starters) clocked in 1.15.2kr. Trainer Pierre Vercruysse was the winning pilot for owner Florence Allera. 31/1 Cisulie du Guex (5f Baccarat du Pont-Quasulie) was a length off second for driver Davis Thomain and trainer/owner Benoit Robin. Third was 6.6/1 Cherie Cash (5f Ready Cash-Nice Star) with Eric Raffin driving for trainer Thierry Raffegeau.
Well-bred 2.3/1 favorite Elegantissime (3f Ready Cash-Ivre de Victoire) with Yoann Lebourgeois aboard won the €46,000 Prix d’Oloron contested by 11 starters over the 2700 meter course. The Philippe Allaire trainee is owned and was bred by Frederic Sauque and stopped the timer at 1.16.6kr. 11/1 Ena de Laumac (3f Goetmals Wood-Valdivia) was next for Franck Anne, also owner/trainer. 56/1 Ecuvna des Louanges (3f Gazouillis-Jolie Liby) was third for Franck Ouvrie.
The Prix de Blain-Bouvron-Le Lavre (purse €52,000, 2175 meters, eight starters) went to even-money favorite Dream Cash (4g Ready Cash-Susy Love) timed in 1.14.8kr. J-M Bazire teamed this winner, he also the trainer, for Ecurie Charmes. 6.5/1 Danehille Dancer (4m Gogo-Legere) rallied for second reined by Pierre Vercruysse and 5.7/1 Digne et Droit (4m The Best Madrik-Plenty Pocket) held third for piloy Franck Nivard.
Thomas H. Hicks