April 4, 2018 – Today’s featured harness racing Gr. III Grand Prix Angers Loire Metropole (purse €60,000, 3100 meters distance handicap, 17 International starters) at Hippodrome Angers went to 6.3/1 Bugsy Malone (7g Ready Cash-Night Captain) for driver Yoann Lebourgeois.
This Philippe Allaire trained and owned stalwart was timed in 1.14kr and overcame a 25 meter handicap to record his 19th victory in 37 starts, increased career bankroll to €575,660. Christian Simon bred Bugsy Malone.
The 2/5 favorite Aubrion du Gers (8g Memphis du Rib-J’arrive du Gers) was a distant second for owner/trainer/driver J-M Bazire, timed in 1.13.8kr but unable to handle his 50 meter handicap. 25/1 Charmeuse Royale (6f Duc de Jielk-Lea Royale) and owner/trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard took third and was not handicapped. 83/1 Uniflosa Bella (1 of Jag de Bellouet) was fourth for Antoine Weils and fifth went to 30/1 Bon Copaine (7f Love You), with Uniflosa having to face a 50 meter penalty.
The talented field included Brissac (sixth), Adelia de Melcoie (seventh) and further back were Up And Quick, Shark Attack, Jontte Boy and Akim du Cap Vert.
Last evening racing was at Paris-Vincennes that presented a seven race card with a local time 2000 start. The featured Prix Erigone (monte, purse €52,000, 2200 meters, 12 starters) went to 2.8/1 Daniel Bon (5g Severino-Quiriane d’Ostal) clocked in 1.13.6kr and reined by Guillaume Matin for owner/trainer Arnaud Desmottes. This victory increased the life earnings of Daniel Bon to €149,190. 4.8/1 Doyale dor d’Am (5f Goetmals Wood-Royale For You) took second for jockey J-Y Ricart and trainer Julien LeMer and owner Claude Guedj, ahead of 8.7/1 Disco des Molands (5g Quitus du Mexique) ridden by Mlle Amelie Morisse for owner/trainer Hedi Le Bec.
Thomas H. Hicks