Today’s Gr. II Grand Prix de Bretagne (purse 120,000€, 2700 meters, 15 starters) drew a talented field and an enthusiastic audience. The winner gets an instant invitation to the Prix de Amerique in late January.
The 4.2/1 Davidson du Pont (5m Pacha du Pont-Laguna du Pont) took a tough first over journey for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire and gained the front at top of stretch with 5/10 favorite Bold Eagle (7m Ready Cash-Reethi Rah Jet) and driver Franck Nivard right behind.
Davidson held game and drew to a length advantage on the line with 15/1 Delia de Pommereux (5f Niky-Noune du Pommereux) closing fast for second between horses, driven by Damien Bonne for trainer Sylvain Roger and breeder/owner Noel Lolic.
Bird Parker (7m Ready Cash-Belisha) was a tough third at 10/1 for J.Ph. Monclin, trainer Philippe Allaire and owner Elisabeth Allaire.
Bold Eagle was unable to gain late and ended fourth, ahead of 19/1 Carat Williams (6m Prodigious-Miss Williams) and driver David Thomain. 50/1 Briac Dark and 53/1 Cash Gamble completed the top seven with Belina Josselyn, Uza Josselyn and Charly du Noyer all dq’s.
Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_LLk_7GOxU
The Gr. III Prix Boissy Saint-Leger (Gr. III, purse 95,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 13 starters) was a hotly contested event with the dq place win to 33/1 Unique Juni (5f Uptown Yankee-Staro Unique) handled by Gabriele Gelormini for trainer Jorgen Westholm. Race timed was 1.12.2kr.
The 2.8/1 Racing Mange (5m Orlando Vici) was first placed last for Joakim Lovgren for going inside several pegs in late homestretch. The 9/1 Diego Sautonne (5m Look de Star) was placed second for trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard and placed third was 108/1 Victor Ferm (4m Nad Al Sheba) driven by Andrea Guzzinati.
Fun Quick (3m Carpe Diem-Activity Quick) at 4/1 won the Prix Jean Maurice Beteau (purse 52,000€, 2700 meters, four starters – three year olds) to start today’s action at Vincennes, timed in 1.16kr and piloted by Franck Nivard for trainer Marc Esper and Ecurie Quick Star.
The 3.3/1 Fakir de Madey (3m Reve de Beylev) took second money for Yoann Lebourgeois and 12.1 Fakir Griff (3m Goetmals Wood) was third for Mathieu Mottier, trainer Dominique Mottier and Ecurie Griff, the owner/breeder. The 4/5 favorite Fortissimoko was a dq.
The Prix de Cosse le Vivien (purse 75,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 16 European starters) went to 3.9/1 Ardente du Clos (8f Reve de Vallees-Lumiere du Clos) handled by owner/trainer Matthieu Abrivard. 28/1 Cicero Noa (6g Mandarino Blue-Ma Belle Reim) closed well for second with Pierre Vercruysse up for the breeder/owner/trainer Jan Vanhoucke.
At 5/2 odds Class de Loriol (6f Ready Cash-Orageuse de Marjon) was third with Yoann Lebourgeois aboard. 8.2/1 Utile Lebel and 10/1 Tesauro completed the top five. Race time was 1.12kr.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink