5.5/1 odds Slow du Beauvoisin (10g Jain de Beval-Gina du Beauvoisin) took today’s Cagnes-sur-Mer featured Prix des Soirees Gourmandes (Gr. III, purse €55,000, 2925 meters, nine starters). Romuald Mourice, also harness racing trainer, teamed the winner that was clocked in 1.13.2kr for owner Ecurie JYL. The shoeless winner scored over 25/1 Sergent du Rib (10g Baccarat du P0ont-Hermine du Rib) handled by trainer Loris Garcia. 4/5 favorite Sire de la Creuse (10g Ludo de Fleurac-Hanna de la Creuse) was third for trainer/driver J-F Senet with Urac and Truman Dairpet finishing fourth and fifth.
At Boden-Vienne Austria their Monte Derby (purse €7,000, 2600 meters, ten entrants with one scratch) went to barefoot 25/1 Willy Venus (9g Freiherr As-Windaisy-Speedy Crown) that scored in 1.18.6kr for jockey Mme. Lea Ahokas. Hubert Brandstatter Jr. trains the winner for owner Hubert Hofer. 30/1 Ulysse de Corbery (8g Offshore Dream-Klytte de Corbery) was second for Mme. Alexandre Sandner and third was 7/1 Alquin Elegance (9g Kerido Donjon-Nina Darby) that was handicapped 25 meters and ridden by Mme. Petra Resinger.
Yesterday, solid trotting took place at Eskilstuna SWE, and the Gr. II International ICA Maxi (300,000SEK to the winner, 2640 meters autostart, 10 starters) went to well-regarded Readly Express (4m Ready Cash-Caddie Dream-Viking Kronos). He was timed in 1.12.1kr for his second 2016 victory in three starts. His career slate is 9-3-0 in 12 starts. Jorma Kontio drove Readly Express for trainer Timo Nurmos. Pacific Broline (4m Celebrity Secret-Malabar Mist-Malabar Man) was second for trainer/driver Bjorn Goop, with third to Cuise La Motte (4f Repeat Love-Onagra du Vivier-Extreme Dream) for driver Torbjorn Jansson and trainer Goop.
The Eskilstuna program also showed a 1.10.5kr win by Food Money (8g Andover Hall-Windylane Hanover-Lindy Lane) with Jennifer Tillman aboard. They defeated Standout (m Ganymede) and Magic Tonight (7m Andover Hall). Floria Boko (4f Ready Cash-Thelsey Boko-American Winner) took the 100,000SEK first money RS Mustang (2140 meters autostart) timed in 1.12.4kr for Mattias Djuse, also trainer. Cash A Cheque EM (5g Credit Winner) was second for Erik Adielsson and Brothers In Am was third.
The Olof Brodin raced over 2140 meters for 100,000SEK to the winner went to 1.13.3kr timed Catwalk I.H. (5f Muscle Hill-Ellie America-Buvetier d’Aunou) with trainer Bjorn Goop driving. Gaia Sund was second for Jennifer Tillman.
Aged mares contested the Gregers Minne (2140 meters autostart, 15 starters, 100,000SEK to winner) and Backorder (5f Chocolatier-Fabulous Kemp-Yankee Glide) scored in 1.12.9kr, her third straight win, with Jorma Kontio up for trainer Timo Nurmos. Top Notch Lady As (4f Taurus Dream-Shady As-Conway Hall) was second for Orjan Kihlstrom and trainer Roger Walmann.
Five year olds battled in the 2140 meter autostart, 100,000SEK to the winner, and Volstead (5m Cantab Hall-Madame Volo-Yankee Glide) scored in 1.11kr, his second straight and 14th win in 34 career outings. Orjan Kihlstrom teamed this Stefan Melander owner/trained charge that was US bred by Arden Homestead Stable.
Thomas H. Hicks