September 5, 2015 – Vincennes featured Quinte+ Prix d’Ete (Gr. II International UET Masters Series, purse €200,000, 2700 meters, 15 starters) went to Norway’s Lionel (5m Look de Star-Aurora Sign) with Franck Nivard driving for trainer Fabrice Souloy and owner Goran Antonsen. Lionel recorded his fifth straight victory. The 3/5 odds favored winner scored in 1.12.1kr by a length in rated fractions (1.13.7kr at 1500, 1.12.5kr at 1000, 1.12.6kr at 500 to go mark). Ustinof du Vivier (7g Look de Star-Melba du Vivier) was a good second at 4.9/1 for teamster Mathieu Abrivard and trainer Sebastien Guarato with third to 7/2 odds Akim du Cap Vert (5m First de Retiz-Prima du Cap Vert) and owner/trainer/driver Franck Anne. Classy veteran mare Roxane Griff (10f Tenor de Baune-Julia Mesloise), recently passed the €3 million career earnings level, ended fourth for Eric Raffin at 28/1, trainer Guarato and Ecurie Griff. Romanesque finished fifth. Nahar was disqualified for a miscue.
The Gr. II Prix de Basly (monte, purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 10 entrants) went to fast-closing Che Jenilou ((3m Goetmals Wood-Pirogue Jenilou) with Eric Raffin in the irons for trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Antonio De Sousa. The winner scored in 1.14.2kr after a blistering pace set by Classica du Ruel (3f Scipion du Goutier-Romance du Ruel) that faded to fourth (1.10.2kr at 1500, 1.11.4kr at 1000, 1.13.4kr at 500) for David Thomain. Finishing second was Caline des Plages (3f Scipion du Goutier-Nuit de la Marfee) with third to Carles des Caux (3m Mien-Star Dadienville).
Vaisman (6m Memphis du Rib-Iula du Douetil), at 1.6/1 odds for owner/trainer/driver Franck Anne, won the Prix du Mont Saint Michel (purse €65,000, 2700 meters, 16 European starters) timed in 1.13.2kr, 4.2/1 Gold For Gold ZAZ (7m Scarlet Knight-Spritte ZAZ) was second for trainer/driver Robert Bergh and 38/1 outsider Conrads Fredrik (8g Credit Winner-Ahmeida) was third for driver Eric Raffin.
The Gr. III Prix Joseph Aveline (purse €82,000, 2850 meters, 12 starters) produced a victory for fast finishing Belina Josselyn (4f Love You-Lezira Josselyn) and trainer/driver J-M Bazire as they nailed Briac Dark (4m Prince Gede-Queen des Charmes) driven by Franck Anne on the line. Bolero des Vignes (4m Quai Bourbon-Poesie du Bouffey) ended third, three lengths back. The winner was clocked in 1.14.1kr off even fractions.
On the non-groupe undercard, the Prix de Neuil sur Layon (€46,000 purse, 2100 meters autostart, 10 starters) went to the 1.12.1kr winner Black Charm (4m Prodigious-Podana) with Eric Raffin teaming for Ecurie Victoria Dreams and trainer Philippe Moulin.
Thomas H. Hicks