November 10, 2016 – Today’s top flight harness racing action at Paris-Vincennes began with the Q+ Prix de Cognac (purse €55,000, 2850 meters, 18 starters) and 44.4/1 And de Saint-Prest (6g Othello Pierji-Queen Madone) was victorious timed in 1.14.2kr for Christophe Martens, trainer Vincent Martens and owner Erik Lepine. 3/1 Arturo Boy (6m Le Retour-Guyane) was second for driver/trainer/owner/breeder Yves Dreux.
Second in a dead heat was 25/1 Asis Bot Eur Moel (6g Pagalor-Lora du Niel for trainer/driver Arnaud Desmottes.
Azura d’Eva was fourth at 2.2/1 (the favorite) and fifth was 191/1 Utelo de Garentone.
The day’s co-feature was the Gr. II Prix Olry-Roederer (monte, purse €120,000, 2100 meters, nine starters). Even-money favorite Canadien d’Em (4m Ready Cash-Kanadia) scored for Mathieu Mottier, trainer Franck Leblanc and owner Laurent Edin.
The winner held off charging 27/1 Talisker Horse (4f Pine Chip-Ira Horse) with Camille Levesque up for trainer Thomas Levesque. Third was 5/1 Celina Polka (4f Kool de Caux-La Canella) for Alexandre Abrivard and owner/trainer Joel Van Eeckhaute.
Thomas H. Hicks