Today’s Gr. I UET Masters Series Grand Criterium de Vitesse at Cagnes-sur-Mer went to veteran Timoko (9m Imoko-Kiss Me Coulonces) with harness racing driver Bjorn Goop aboard for trainer/owner Richard Westerink.
The purse was €200,000 with 45% to the winner of the 1609 meters autostart sprinter contest, the last major trotting race of the winter season in France.
Timoko was away quickly from post seven in the 13 horse field, following scratch of Un Mec d’Heripre, as was first to lead Oasis Bi (8m Toss Out-Up Front JM) with Johnny Takter up for trainer Stefan Pettersson. Takter parked Timoko for about three-eighths mile before yielding to the winner. Goop then rated the pace craftily and kept Oasis Bui boxed in the pocket until into the stretch when Timoko pulled away for two lengths plus victory.
Off as 4/5 favorite, Timoko and 6.8/1 second finishing Oasis Bi bested 159/1 Luckycharm Hanover (8m Andover Hall-Lady Luck Hanover) that closed strongly along the pegs for Yannick Alain Briand.
Spain’s Trebol (9m Hot Blues-Sally Can Wait-Prince Mystic) rallied from far back to nab fourth at 13/1 for trainer/driver Gabriel-Angel Pou Pou.
The 162/1 outsider Vicomte Boufarcaux was fifth.
Kadett CD and Going For Gold Zaz were disqualified for breaks and Anna Mix was unplaced at 14/1 while 4/1 Voltigeur de Myrt finished seventh behind longshot Air Frame at 143/1.
Time for the winner was 1.10.2kr (race record 1.09.6kr in 2002 by Varenne).
Timoko also won this classic event in 2015 and 2013. His now three wins compares well with legendary Une de Mai, a five time winner from 1969-84, and Ourasi that won four times from 1986-89.
Thomas H. Hicks