April 30, 2018 – Harness racing around Europe and beyond took us to Aby (SWE), Martinique, Budapest and France for the latest Trophee Vert leg. Here are the summaries:
Aby April 28
Breeders Course (purse 100,000SEK to winner, 1640 meters autostart) went to 2.1/1 Betting Gangster (3m Going Kronos-Viola Silas-Lindy Lane) timed in 1.14.2kr for driver Christoffer Eriksson and trainer Jerry Riordan. This lightly raced colt has three wins in five career outings.
Madinina Martinique April 29
Three top ranked FR drivers were on the island for Sunday’s Grand Prix de la SECF events. The SECF Consolation (purse €6,000, 2600 meters, voltstart, turf) went to 50 meters handicapped Ubbi Kay (10g Jam Pridem-La Davina) with Eric Raffin up for trainer Corrine Gleize and clocked in 1.27.2kr. Biscoto Star (7m My Happy Jet) was next for Alexandra Abrivard and trainer H.R. Colas. The main event was the Grand Prix de la SECF Finale (purse €10,000, 2600 meters voltstart, turf) and it went to 1.18.7kr timed Bavarois du Valet (7g Laetenter Diem – Hera du Varlet) in rein to Matthieu Abrivard for trainer Gleize, the winner’s second straight score. Avis Contraire (8g Infant du Bossis) was next for Edmond Langeron and third was Usly de Visais (10f Defi d’Aunou) for Jean Luc Langeron.
April 29 Rambouillet – Trophee Vert
The Trophee Vert this Sunday was the Prix Ville de Rambouillet et de sa Reine (purse €45,000, 2800 meters distance handicap) with victory o 9/10 favorite and 50 meter handicapped Bugsy Malone (7g Ready Cash-Night Captain) with Yoann Lebourgeois up for Philippe Allaire. Bugsy now has 20 career wins in 38 starts for €595,910 earned. 25 meter handicapped Ulhior du Beziau (10m Orsy Dream) held second for Guillaiume Youvre and another 25 meter penalized starter, Ustang Ludois (10m Joyau d’Amour), was third for Dominik Locqueneux. The 50 meters handicapped Anette du Mirel (8f Laetenter Diem) was fourth for Thierry Duvaldestin and trainer Anders Lindqvist.
April 29 – Kincsem Park (Budapest)
The weekend featured Grand DIJ (purse 600,000Huf, 1800 meters autostart) at Kincsem Park went to Uran Lady (5f Maximus Lindy-Vas Lady) timed in 1.16.8kr and reined by Veljko Mazsity, also trainer, for breeder Kabela Menes Kft of Radihaza. Rosemundi and Oldtimer Diamant trailed the winner. Other winners on the card were first in the Lofty Sun DIJ (purse 400,000Huf, 1900 meters autostart) where the 1.17.2kr timed Rocky HR (6m Roc de Montfort-Times) prevailed for Balasz Juhasz. The other notable winners were Sunny (7g Oncoming Hush-Vivian King) for Andrea Fazekas timed in 1.20.7kr and Zafira (3f Belami-Jude) in 1.22kr for trainer/driver Branislav Mukity.
April 30 – Enghien
The Sunday Enghien card included the Prix de Millau (purse €54,000, 2875 meters) with the 1.17.2kr timed verdict earned by 3.6/1 Deesse des Noes (5f Nahar de Beval) with Stephane Rouxel the trainer/driver. 11/1 Dynastie Aldo (5f Kiwi) was next for Anthony Barrier, ahead of Demoiselle Mika (5f Royal Dream) for trainer/driver Sylvain Roger
The Prix du Pont Charles de Gaulle (purse €54,000, 2850 meters) yielded a runaway victory for 8.5/1 United Love (5m Conway Hall-Dolly Kronos) by six lengths for driver Bjorn Goop and trainer Hans Bot. Race time was 1.16.7kr and the winner defeated 6.5/1 Dimo d’Occagnes (5g Timoko) with Franck Ouvrie up and 39/1 Dream du Chatavet (5m Ganymede) with Geert Lanoo aboard.
Thomas Hicks