Groupe level events continued this afternoon at Paris-Vincennes. The Gr.II monte Prix Theophile Lallouet (purse 100,000€, 2700 meters) brought out a files of salty veterans and 3.1/1 Clegs des Champs (7f Legs du Clos-Prosperpine) scored easily timed in 1.12.2kr for jockey David Thomain, harness racing trainer Thierry Raffegeau and owner J-Y Roze.
Clegs earned his 14 th career win in 27 starts to increase his life earnings to 577,080€.
The 1.3/1 favorite Arlington Dream (9g Ready Cash) was second for Yoann Lebourgeois and trainer Philippe Allaire, after trailing the field early and sweeping to the front out of the final bend. 2.2/1 Boss du Meleuc (8g Lucky Blue) held third for Alexandre Abrivard.
The Prix d’Aubusson (purse 56,000€, 2100 meters autostart) brought out a competitive field of 18 speedsters.
The pace was fast in this 1.10.9kr journey (1.07.2kr at the 1500 remaining post; 1.08.2kr at the 1000 and 1.10.5kr with 500 meters to go) with the victory to the 2.2/1 favorite Nancy America (8f Revenue-Camargue) reined by Franck Nivard for owner Stall Laumas and trainer Philippe Billard, her fourth win in 14 starts in France and now with life earnings of 273,878€.
Nancy America -LeTrot photo
Out of clouds fast finishing Jerry Mom (6m Ready Cash-Graziella) was second at 28/1 for Pierre Vercruysse, trainer Luc Roelens and owner JPB Building BVBA.
This full brother to Traders bested 9/1 Ultra Wind Bi (6m Love You-Catch The Wind) with Gabrielle Gelormini up for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro. 4/1 Calaska de Guez and 13/1 Beppe Am completed the top five. 4/1 Popeye Diamant, off a winning streak, finished 14 th .
Four year old males contested today’s Prix Phaeton (Gr. II, 2175 meters, 100,000€ purse)and 3/10 favorite Face Time Bourbon (4m Ready Cash-Vita Bourbon) was just that, an impressive front-end winner timed in 1.11.0kr (fractions 1.10.6kr at the 1500; 1.11.6kr with 1000 meters remaining; 1.11.6kr at the 500).
Face Time Bourbon -LeTrot photo
Eric Raffin teamed the Sebastien Guarato trainee for owner Scuderia Bivans Srl to his 12 th career victory in 14 starts, now for 532,150€ earned. He was bred by SARL Haras Saint Martin. The 12/1 outsider Fakir du Lorault (4m Vaillant Cash) was second for Francois Lecanu and trainer Mickael Charuel.
Third was 14/1 Feliciano (4m Ready Cash) handled by Yoann Lebourgeois for trainer Philippe Allaire. 11/1 Fun Quick (4m Carpe Diem) was fourth.
Face Time is a fine colt, the likely heir to Bold Eagle and Ready Cash as the king of the trotteurs in France
Four year old mares battled in the Gr. II Prix Paul Leguerney (purse 100,000€, 2175 meters) with the 1.11.1kr timed victory to 5.2/1 Freyja du Pont (4f Quinoa du Gers-Parade du Pont) with trainer Jean Michel Bazire aboard for Ecurie Albert Rayon.
Freyja du Pont -LeTrot photo
The Celine Bazire bred mare posted her eighth career win in 14 outings now for 154,650€ earned. 12.8/1 Fend la Bise (4f Prince Gede-Una Prima Speed) was second for trainer/driver Franck Anne, ahead of 6.2/1 Fame And Fortune (4f Sam Bourbon-Ma Crown) reined by owner/trainer Franck Nivard. 5/1 Fleche Bourbon (4f Saxo de Vandel-Uzara Josselyn) took foruth for J.Ph. Monclin and fifth was the pacesetter, 50.7/1 Ferreteria (4f Goetmals Wood-Avenue Victoria), reined by Franck Ouvrie for trainer Yves Boireau and owner J-P Dubois.
Thomas H. Hicks