Tuesday evening at Vincennes showcased two divisions of the four year- old Grand Prix de L’UET (both raced over 2100 meters autostart and each with a 60,000€ purse). Division A drew nine starters with victory to the 4/5 odds favorite Earl Simon (4m Prodigious-Tindrana) that Franck Nivard teamed for Ecurie Skytten and trainer Jorma Niskanen. The winner was timed in 1.12.7kr as he posted career win nine in 14 starts now for 354.950€ earned. 58/1 Esmondo (4m Un Mec d’Heripre-Uourga) was a game second for Jerome Chavatte and owner/trainer Richard Westerink and 32/1 Easy des Racques (4m Rodrigo Jet-Ombre des Racques) took third for J. Ph. Monclin.9 Éclair du Mirel (4m Orlando Vici-Tentation du Mirel) closed well for fourth driven by Anthony Barrier for Anette Holmgren (owner/breeder) and trainer Anders Lindqvist. Victor Gio was sixth and Classic Connection were dq’s.
Division B saw 4.3/1 odds Broadwell (4m Conway Hall-Boria) score for Robin Bakker, trainer Paul Hagoort and Ecurie Gerrits Recycling BV. Race timed was 1.12.1kr as the winning team bested 18/1 Eridan (4m Ready Cash-Topaze d’Atout) with David Thomain up. Sebastien Guarato trains this one for owner Philippe Dewulf. 38/1 Hooters USA (4m Armbro Embellish-Keetje Tippel) took the third check for Alexandre Abrivard and trainer A.J. Mollema. Even-money favorite Vivid Wise As finished sixth and 2.3/1 Express Jet was a dq.
On Wednesday at Vire was the Gr. III Grand National du Trot Paris Turf (purse 90,000€, 2800 meters, 17 starters) that was also the Quinte+ race of the day. Even-money favorite Ceylan Dairpet (6g Ouragon de Celland-Rosy MIP) scored for trainer/driver Tony LeBeller and Ecurie Daidou. Race time by the winner was 1.13.7kr. 1.8/1 second choice Ble du Gers (7g Quinoa du Gers-Moorea) was second for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire and Ecurie J-M Rancoule. A string of outsiders were next and they drove the Q+ exact order payoff to 8,745.80€. Third went to 40/1 Abydos du Vivier (8g Diamant Gede); 30/1 Artiste de Joudes (8m Prodigious) took fourth; and 127/1 Virgious du Maza (9g Prodigious) completed the top five.
On Wednesday at Solvalla was a conditioned event for six year-olds and up (1640 meters autostart, 40,000SEK to the winner). The 1.11.9kr timed winner was 2.7/1 Canari Match (6m Extreme Aunou-Ruelle d’Ostal) with Orjan Kihlstrom up for Stall Zet and trainer Daniel Reden. The winner recorded his seventh career victory in 54 outiings. 32/1 Spitcam Jubb (7g Campbell Hall-Lola Spit) was second for Jorma Kontio and 61/1 Explosive de Vie (7g Explosive Matter-Ava) was third for Kevin Oscarsson. 16/1 Maori Time and 1.36/1 favorite (and Elitloppet winner) Ringostarr Treb both made breaks in the later going. The latter is slated for an early October USA trip to compete in the Yonkers International.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink