July 11, 2015 – The Saturday July 11,the Gr. III Prix de Bruxelles (€95.000 purse, 2150 meters autostart, 11 European starters) at Enghien presented a top flight harness racing lineup on a sunny day before a fine audience:
Nene’Degli Ulivi, Pierre Vercruysse
Olmo Holz, Ch. Martens
Ru de l’Airou, FranckOuvrie
Texas de l’Iton, T. De Genouil
Scarlet Turgot, Eric Raffin
Princess Grif, Roberto Andreghetti
Tornado Bello, Thomas Levesque
Beckman, Franck Nivard
Tornade du Digeon, Jos. Verbeeck
Rue du Bac, Tony Le Beller (Italy)
Moses Rob, Andrea Guzzinati
Italian-bred Princess Grif (6f Varenne-Fauve Grif), at 6/1 odds, staged a victorious late rally for teamster Roberto Andreghetti to score in 1.12.8kr, by two lengths, for trainer Fabrice Souloy and owner Azienda Agricola Biasuzzi, from pacesetter Olmo Holz (7m Uronometro-Veuve du Kras) handled by trainer Christophe Martens, also Italian-bred. Italy’s Moses Rob (9m Ganymede-Etoile Rob) was third for teamster Andrea Guzzinati and owner Scuderia Sole Che Sorgi. The fractions were moderate and speed steadily increased during the contest (1.13.4kr at 1000; 1.13kr at 500). It was an Italian clean sweep.
The first of several other top class races July 11 at Enghien was the Prix du Louvre (Gr. III €85,000 purse, 2875 meters, 10 European starters) and after a mid-race no contest ruling the race was re-started and the 0.5/1 favorite prevailed. Lionel (5m Look de Star-Aurora Sign) scored in 1.15.5kr for Franck Nivard, trainer Fabrice Souloy and owner Goran Antonsen. 6/1 Red Rose America (Italian-bred by the late Lou Guida, followed to be second for Tony Le Beller, trainer Souloy and owner Stall Panamera Racing. 13/1 Alpha Saltor (5m Paris-Haufor-Glory d’Ariane) was third for Mathieu Abrivard. Race fractions were modest (1.16.3kr at 1000; 1.15.8kr at 500) with Lionel controlling the affair throughout.
The Prix de Villiers (€48,000 purse, 2150 meters autostart, 16 starters) was the day’s Q+ event (€4.35 million jackpot) and it went to the 9/10 favorite, Sweden-bred, Calvin Borel (5m Super Photo Kosmos-Ulrika Furan) with owner/trainer/driver Conrad Lugauer driving. The winner led for much of the race and barely held on for the 1.13.6kr victory (fractions 1.13.5kr at 1000; 1.13.4kr at 500). Mathieu Mottier teamed 11/1 Blues d’Ourville (4g Password-Pursuit of Charm) to second ahead of 43/1 Arlequin (5m Hasting-Imagine) with Joseph Verbeeck up for trainer Luc Roelens.
Rapports (pour 2€) |
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Tirelire 4.350.000 € – Numéro plus : 1644 |
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Ordre : |
80.760,00€ |
Désordre : |
1.615,20€ |
Bonus 4 : |
159,20€ |
Bonus 4sur5 : |
42,00€ |
Bonus 3 : |
11,20€ |
The Prix du Palais de Chaillot (€68,000 purse, 2875 meters, 13 European starters) went to Sweden-bred Rocky Winner (7m Credit Winner-Level Forty Two) with Gabriel Gelormini aboard for trainer Jorgen Westholm and owner Nortronic KB. Off at 7/1 odds the winner was clocked in 1.14.4kr over the extended distance with accelerating speed (fractions 1.15.5kr at 1000, 1.14.6kr at 500). Tina Jolie (8f Jasmin de Flore-Mirea des Picares) was next for reinsman Yoann Lebourgeois and trainer Helena Krom with third to Urgos (7m Kesaco Phedo-Orcieres) and teamster Joseph Verbeeck and trainer J-M Bazire.
Thomas H. Hicks