March 11, 2017 – The pre-Criterium de Vitesse speed evening was Friday and included several one-mile harness racing tests at Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Mediterranean Sea. The first such contest was the Prix Sophia Metropole Mag (purse €32,000, 1609 meters autostart, 14 European starters). The 1.11.7kr (1:55.36) timed winner was I Love Paris (7f Steinlager-Marie Dulcinea) reined by trainer Bjorn Goop for owner Martin Gunnar Sem. This 9/10 favorite easily bested 57.5/1 Vertige de Vauvert (8g Memphis du Rib-Dolly de Vauvert) driven by Dominik Locqueneux for trainer Henk Grift and Holland’s Patrick Davidson, the owner. This was 3.8/1 Reine du Zack (7f Zinzan Brooke Tur-Giulia Grif) for Edoardo Loccisano, trainer Marco Smorgan and Scuderia Trotto Italia SAS.
The Prix de Pise (purse €25,000, 1609 meters autostart, 12 European starters) went to 1.12.9kr (1:57.26) timed and 2.2/1 favorite Sonia (6f Donato Hanover-Ele Code) driven this evening by Rene Legati for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro. Scuderia Indal SRL owns the winner, that defeated 6.7/1 Badiane du Pont (6f Baccarat du Pont-Ophelic la Garenne) in rein to Stephane Cingland. Third was 5/2 second choice Sirena d’Asolo (6f Conway Hall-Berta d’Asolo) for G.P. Minnucci, trainer Gaetano Giannelavigna and owner Mme. Caterina Citarella.
Beatles (10g Love You-Shesellsseashells) took the speed evenings Prix de Naples (purse €16,000, 1609 meters autostart, 14 starters) timed in 1.12kr (1:55.78 mile rate) at 5.1/1 for driver Dominik Locqueneux, trainer Robert Bergh and owner Etoile Sweden HB. 2.6/1 Tip Top Nelliere(10g Go Lucky-Novely Blue) was second for Gabriel Gelormini and 19/1 Udson de Rerz (9g And Arifant-Osima) held third for trainer/driver Yannick A. Briand.
The mile distance contests continued with the Prix de Bologne (purse €25,000, distance 1609 meters autostart, 14 European starters) and the 1.11.7kr (1:55.34) timed winner was 7.5/1 Burano (6g Mon Premier Cehere-Nazoulene) for trainer/driver Junior Guelpa and owner Leomy SARL. 40/1 Balou d’Angis (6g Hermes de Pericard-History Jet) was second for trainer/driver Romuald Mourice with 23.7/1 Sogno d’Amore (6m Broadway Hall-Do It Wise) third for driver Pietro Gubellini and trainer H.E. Bondo. Fourth was the 1.4/1 favorite Severno (6m Domma Tore d’Oro-Ujane du Basse) reined by G.P. Minnucci for trainer Gaetano Giannelavigna.
The Prix de Modene (purse €8,000, 1609 meters autostart, 12 starters with amateur drivers) went to 3.8/1 Bleu Blanc Bleu (6g Jag de Bellouet-Georgia) with Mme. Viginie Baudier-Cormy aboard. Mikael Cormy trains the gelding for breeder/owner Michel Gallier. Time was 1.12.1kr (mile 1:55.97). 3/5 favorite Bonnie Star (6f Echo-Lenny des Beilles) was second for Mlle. Sophie Blanchetiere and trainer Yannick A. Briand.
On March 11 at Bollnas (SWE) the V75 Gold (150,000SEK to winner, 2140 meters autostart) went to 1.1/1 odds On Track Piraten (9g Kool du Caux-Monrovia-Rite On Line) reined by Johnny Takter. The 1.12.7kr clocked winner is trained by Hans R. Stromberg for Stall Monrovia and recorded his ninth consecutive victories after being fourth at Yonkers in their 2016 International. 18/1 Pochai (7m Make It Happen-In Vino Veritas-Express Ride) was second for Orjan Kihlstrom and trainer Svante Bath. Third was 10.55/1 Claes Boko (8m Varenne-Salma Boko-Express Ride) driven by Erik Adielsson for trainer Stig H. Johansson and owner Lekeryd Interior & Design AB.
Thomas H. Hicks