June 3, 2015 – On June 2 at Vincennes there were two group level events and a fast class monte test. The Gr. III Prix Caecilia (€80,000 purse, 2700 meters, 13 starters) went to 18/1 Balva Montaval (4f Magnificent Rodney-Primavera de Lou) with Gabriele Gelormini aboard. She was clocked in 1.14.1kr (3:20.18) in the defeat of 7/1 Bourbon Somolli (4m Sam Bourbon-Jamaica Somolli) with David Thomain driving for trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. The 9/10 favorite Bel Avis (4g Ganymede-Gloria Maris) was third for trainer/driver J-M Bazire and owner Wildenstein Stables Ltd.
The very competitive Prix Perseus (monte, €80,000 purse, 2700 meters) produced an upset winner in 18/1 Surlando de Viette (9g Quadrophenio-Jolmira) for jockey Florian Prioul. Ecurie Fast owns the 1.13.6kr winner that is trained by Loic-Marie Dalifard. 9/2 Veloce du Banney (6g Quaro-Jiva du Banney) was second for Franck Nivard and trainer France Leblanc with 31/1 Satin d’Avril (9m Chef du Chatelet-Ina d’Avril) third in hand to Aurelien Desmarres.
The Gr. III Prix Dido (monte, €60,000 purse, 2200 meters, 10 three year-old filly starters) wrapped up the fast-class Vincennes action tonight as 15/1 Cappricia Verdene (3f Mah Jong du Vivier-Prisca Verdere) captured victory in 1.15.7kr for Emilie Le Beller and trainer Bertrand Le Beller. Next to the line was 9/1 Caennaise (3f Memphis du Rib-Opaline Blanche) for Camille Levesque and third was Celine de Faco (3f Quiz des Brouets-Romance des Isles) at 18/1 for Julien Reffestin.
Also on June 2 at Bologne Italy (Ippodromo Arcoveggio) Pace del Rio (6m Varenne-Urbem d’Asolo-Ata Star L) took the featured Grand Premio Della Republica (€45,100, 1660 meters autostart) for Santo Mollo in a quick 1.11.6kr. Rombo di Cannone (5m Varenne-Cannoniera-Diamond Way) was next for V.P. Dell’Annunziata ahead of Miguel WF (9m Super Arnie-Dinlastia OR-Lemon Dra) handled by G.P, Minnucci. Napoleon Bar and Louvre were fourth and fifth. The winner recorded career victory 11 in 32 starts.
In other European trotting news it was reported that Timoko will start on June 27 in the Kymi Grand Prix over 2100 meters autostart. Ustinof du Vivier is slated to start for driver Eric Raffin in the June 14 Oslo Grand Prix at Bjerke, also over the 2100 meter autostart distance. Mosaique Face, Support Justice, B.B.S. Sugarlight, Univers du Pan and Trebol are expected to enter. Spain’s Trebol (by Hot Blues-Dally Can Wait) will be that country’s first entrant in a Gr. I event. He is trained and reined by Gabriel-Angel Pou Pou.
On June 3 the two year-old half-brother to Roxane Griff, named Don Juan Griff (2m Look de Star-Julia Mesloise-Sancho Panca), qualified at Caen in 1.18.4kr. The dam has produced nine foals, six of which are winners to date. Sebastian Guarato is the trainer.
On the weekend at Kincsem Park (Budapest) two good events were on the Saturday card. The Francis Diamond DIJ (purse 600,000Huf, 1900 meters autostart) went to 1.16.5kr winner Conway Boko (6m Castelton Bass-Waecon Boko) for trainer/driver Tibor Hajnal and owners Illetmeny Kft and Szilvia Hajnal. The Medic Hanover DIJ (400,000Huf purse, 1960 meters distance handicap) went to Sanger MS (5f Victory Scream-Samba MS) clocked in 1.18.2kr for 2000 meters (40 meter penalty) with trainer Mitja Slavic aboard. Italy’s Equine MS Srl is the owner. Red Bull was second for Csaba Lakatos.
Thomas H. Hicks