June 21, 2019 – Top flight harness racing trotting action takes place today through Sunday at Paris-Vincennes. There are seven groupe level races and the Prix de Grosbois with many of Europe’s better horses on stage.
Today was the monte Prix Xavier de Saint Palais, a Gr. II event for five year olds, worth a 100,000€ purse and raced over 2175 meters.
This one had 3.6/1 Et Voila de Muze (5m Royal Dream-Noloaila) score timed in a sharp 1.10.9kr with Eric Raffin up for trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Union Stable.
The winner won for the 15th time in 27 career starts now for 212,276€ in life earnings.
7/1 Exotica de Retz (5f Prodigious) was second for jockey Mme. D. Beaufils-Ernault, trainer Sebastien Ernault and Ecurie des Charmes.
Far back in third was 1.3/1 Evangelina Blue (5f Speedy Blue) for Mathieu Mottier.
Et Voila de Muze
Today’s card also included the Quinte+ Prix Clementine (purse 45,000€, 2850 meters, 14 European starters).
The 1.14kr timed winner was 3/5 favorite Bandit Brick (6m Yankee Glide-Blazing Kemp) trained and reined by Jean Michel Bazire.
Stald Pimax of Denmark owns the handsome and great gaited winner that scored for the first time in France and raised his career earnings to 114,292€.
6.4/1 Dimoko de Jamac (6g Timoko) was second with Alexandre Abrivard up and 86/1 Ulberto (6m Broadway Hall) took third with Pierre Vercruysse aboard.
26/1 Constantina Magic and 36/1 Dayan Winner completed the top five and set up an exact order Q+ payoff of 12,946.60€ for the 2€ wager.
Bandit Brick
The Q+ pool this day was 3,699,807€ and the total wagering pools on this race exceeded 7,582,000€
Sunday there are six groupe contests at Vincennes, as summarized below along with expected favorites:
- Gr. III Prix Raymond Fouard (purse 80,000€, 2850 meters, European starters led by Foxtrot Sea and Zucchino Roc)
- Gr. I Prix d’Escai (monte, purse 170,000€, 2175 meters, three year olds) with Gala Tejy a likely favorite
- Gr. I Prix Rene Balliere (purse 170,000€, 2100 meters autostart, International) with champions Bold Eagle, Dijon and Looking Superb in the lineup
- Gr. I monte Prix du President de la Republique (purse 200,000€, 2850 meters. Four year olds) with Freeman de Houelle a probable favorite
- Gr. I Prix Albert Viel (purse 170,000€, 2700 meters, three year olds) with a good field led by Good Boy Ligneries at the start
- Gr. III Prix de Grasse (purse 80,000€, 2850 meters, European starters) with Germany’s Portland and Jean Pierre Dubois’ Classic Connection in the field
- Prix Bertrand Deloison (purse 75,000€, 2850 meters, European starters), also labeled the Prix de Groisbois, with Nancy America, Jerry Mom and Defi de Retz in the lineup
Earlier in the week (June 18) was the Arqana Trot Mixed Sale at the Hippodrome de Cabourg. 90 head were presented for sale with 59 sold, averaging 12,390€ compared to 12,921€ a year ago.
The two sale leaders were acquired by Christian LeBarbey (ITS) led by hip #85 Get Up Smart (2016 f Ready Cash-Una Bella Fier-Love You) in foal to Muscle Hill.
Get Up Smart
The runner-up was hip #84 Flower Power (2015 f Love You-Ornella Rainbow-Extreme Dream) that sold in foal to Bird Parker. Pedigree follows, a fine maternal family.
Thomas H. Hicks