May 25, 2015 – On a relatively quiet day in France harness racing drivers Romain Derieux and Antoine Wiels each celebrated a triple-win day.
Derieux piloted Yankee’s Photo (7m SJ’s Photo-Yankee Trader) to victory in Reims’ Grand Prix Champagne Maurice Philippart (€32,000 purse, 2575 meters distance handicapped, 14 European starters) clocked in 1.14.1kr over the standard distance. The 2.2/1 favorite is trained by Bjorn Gulbrensen for Norway’s Sisset Vatnoy. 14/1 Ulhior du Beziau (7m Orsy Dream-Jipsue du Beziau) was next for Ganriele Gelormini timed in 1.13.6kr over an extended distance. Sweden’e Omaha (8g Varenne-Chops) was third for Pierre Vercruysse.
Derieux also won as trainer/driver with Chess d’Or (3m Orlando Vici-Tess La Chesnsie) for owner Ecurie AB Trot and with Cornaline d’Orient (3f Coktail Jet-Topaze d’Orient), both as favorites. He was also third in a monte event as jockey at 27/1 with Ariwa.
At Chatelaillon Antoine Wiels had three wins, three seconds and a third. His wins came with Vanessa Bella, Be Happy and Ulula Bella in 1.15.4kr for well-respected owner/trainer J-P Marmion.
Also at t Montauban their Grand Prix de Montauban (€32,000 purse, 2400 meters, 13 European starters) went to the 1.16.5kr winner Saint Malo Rush (9g Hand du Vivier-Jolie du Vaumcel) and Roland Jeffrelot trainer/driver at 2.4/1 odds. Second Favori (9g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree0France de Vaiges) was next for driver/trainer/owner J-H Treich at 16/1 over 5/1 Umoko (7m Imoko-Kiss Me Counonces) and owner/trainer/pilot Richard Westerink. The latter is a full brother to Elitloppet bound Timoko.
Thomas H. Hicks