Today’s featured Gr. I Prix des Elites at Paris-Vincennes (monte, purse €240,000, 2200 meters, 10 starters) went to 1.7/1 harness racing favorite Dollar Macker (3m Saxo de Vandel-Salt Lake City) teamed by Yoann Lebourgeois. Philippe Allaire trains this seven time winner in 14 starts, for Olivier Henri Thomas. His career earnings increased to €468,450.
5/1 Bellissima France (5f Blue Dream-Quanta Rosa Sun) was a distant second with Mathieu Abrivard up, also trainer/owner. Dhikti Vedaquais (3m Thorsens Vedaquais-Marte Blanque) was third for Anthony Barrier, also trained by owner Philippe Allaire. Beau Gamin, Dragon du Fresne, Billie de Montfort and Best Of Jets were next in the talented field.
Dollar Macker was clocked in a sharp 1.12.7kr off solid fractions (1.10.8kr at 1500 to go; 1.11.3kr at the 1000; 1.12.5kr at 500 remaining).
The Gr. III Prix des Benevoles (purse €85,000, 2700 meters, 13 starters) produced an impressive stalking victory earned by 8.1/1 barefoot Spartan Kronos (5m Muscle Hill-Dame Kronos) handled by trainer Conrad Lugauer. The winner is owned in Germany by Th & J Weber-Berchtold. The .5/1 favorite Bugsy Malone (5f Ready Cash-Night Captain) set the pace for Yoann Lebourgeois and was overwhelmed by the winner at mid-stretch. Philippe Allaire owns and trains Bugsy. Third was 126/1 outsider The Last Ticket (3m Thai Tanic-One Way Ticket) reined by Mathieu Abrivard for Norwegian owner Bjron Nyhus. Specialiess (8m Ganymede-Enna Dra) was fourth for Franck Nivard and Fabrice Souloy, trainer for Italy’s Ecurie Nevi. 20/1 Apollon de Kacy was fifth. The winner was clocked in a quick 1.12.3kr off steady fractions (1.12.7kr ay 1500 to go; 1.12.1kr at the 1000; 1.12kr with 500 to go).
The Gr. III Prix Alfred Lefevre (monte, 2850 meters, 12 starters) wrapped up Groupe action this day with victory to 1.13.6kr timed, 3/2 odds favored, barefoot and Eric Raffin teamed Ulka des Champs (8f Offshore Dream-Melissa des Champs). 12.8/1 Americaine (6f Chef du Chatelet-Marfine Raudiere) was a rallying second for Antoine Wiels and 28.7/1 Sydney du Rib (10f First de Retz-Eva du Rib) took third with Mathieu Mottier up. Fourth was 17.8/1 Valse de Reve (7f Mister President-Nouba Houba) handled by Camille Levesque. The winner led throughout in quick, steady fractions (1.12.1kr at 1500 to go; 1.12.8kr at the 1000; 1.13.5kr with 500 remaining).
Thomas H. Hicks