April 15, 2017 – A solid Paris-Vincennes Saturday harness racing program began with the Prix de la Lorraine (purse €72,000, 2100 meters autostart, 16 European starters) and that contest went to 3.8/1 Vulcania de Godrel (8f Memphis du Rib-Jukietta) reined by Eric Raffin for owner/trainer Damien Marsault.
The now 10 time winner in 69 career starts has earned €386,010 and scored today in 1.12.2kr off honest fractions largely set by 2.3/1 favorite Venkatesh that faded late (1.08.7kr at 1500 meters to go; 1.11.5kr at the 1000, 1.12.6kr with 500 remaining). 70/1 Tobrouk de Payre (10g Meaulnes du Corta-Orcade de Payre) held second for Matthieu Abrivard and trainer/owner J-Y Touillet. 16/1 Venus de Bailly was third for J-M Bazire, ahead of Vanille du Dollar and Volare de Lou.
The Gr. III monte Prix de Plouescat (purse €85,000, 2700 meters, 11 European starters) went to the 3/2 favorite Jerry Mom (4m Ready Cash-Graziella) with Yoann Lebourgeois up for trainer Philippe Allaire and owner Alain Roussel, timed in 1.13kr on even fractions (1.13kr at the 1500 to go mark; 1.13.5kr at the 1000 and 1.14.3kr with 500 remaining) with a striking final 500 meters. 3.3/1 Candie d’Atout (5f Magnificant Rodney-Licorne d’Atout) took second for trainer/jockey Matthieu Abrivard and owner Serge Lahuppe. Third was 4.8/1 Dragon d’Avril (4m Thorens Vedaquais-Sirene d’Avril) with Adrien Lamy in the irons for trainer/owner Sebastian Houyvet.
The day’s featured Gr. II Prix Federations Ouest et Basse Normandie (purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 10 starters) went to the 1/5 favorite Carat Williams (5m Prodigious-Miss Williams) reined by David Thomain and racing barefoot for trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Mme. Francoise Deboudaud. The winner, bred by Henri Garnier, now has 14 wins in 28 career starts for €524,240 earned. He was clocked in a quick 1.10.8kr with a fast final 500 off even fractions (1.08.kr at the 1500 to go mark; 1.09.8 at the 1000; 1.11.3kr with 500 remaining). 7.4/1 Cyprien des Bordes (5m Ouregon de Celland-Perle des Bordes) was second for J.L.Cl. Dersoir and the Joel Hallais/Ecurie Rib team. 12.5/1 Caly Loulou (5f Gazouillis-Neige de Genetine) took third for trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard.
The Gr. II Prix des Hippodromes Marins (purse €120,000, eight monte starters) completed this day’s groupe level action. The 3/10 favorite Eye Of the Storm (3m Village Mystic/La Dolce Vita) secured victory for Yoann Lebourgeois, driving for trainer/owner Philippe Allaire. Timed in 1.13kr (fractions 1.08.2kr at 1500 remaining; 1.10,5kr with 1000 to go; 1.12.6kr with 500 remaining) the winner bested 3.9/1 Evidence Roc (3f Paris Haufor-Misface du Boulay) with Mme. Emilie LeBeller aboard second and 22/1 Epatante (3f Village Mystic-Suricate) handled by Anthony Barrier third for trainer Allaire and owner Kevin Tebirent.
Eye OfThe Storm remained unbeaten, now in six outings, good for €212.850 earned. Pierre Rousseau bred this fine colt.
At Tongres (Belgique) was the Prix Vic Thoed (purse €5,040, 2650 meters, 15 international starters) with victory once again to veteran Truman Dairpet (10g Biesolo-Heloise Poterie) at 1/2 odds and reined by Piet Van Poll for the Union Stable. The 116.9kr timed winner now has 23 wins in 97 career starts for €590,898 earned in a productive career. 39/1 Cesar Charisma and 18/1 By Vivant trailed the winner to the line.
In the US some of the better North American trotters were in qualifying action at the New Meadowlands. Hannelore Hanover (4f Swan For All) scored in 1:55.3 with a final :26 quarter. Earlier Crazy Wow (5m Crazed) won timed in 1:53.1 with a final :27.2 panel and the young colt Top Flight Angel (3m Archangel-Top Photo-SJ’s Photo) won clocked in 1:56.2, final quarter in :28 flat.
Thomas H. Hicks