March 8, 2015 – Harness racing driver Bjorn Goop teamed the Richard Westerink trained Timoko (8m Imoko – Kiss Me Coulonces – And Arifant) to a two length score in today’s Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote d’Azur (Gr. I UET Masters Series, 12 international starters, €200,000 purse, 1609 meters autostart) .
Away alertly Timoko, racing barefoot, yielded to Pascia’Lest and then regained the front that he never relinquished.
Scoring his 26th career victory, Timoko improved life earnings to €3,235,478.
Off at 7/10 favorite odds Timoko held off a determined Maven (6f Glidemaster – M. Stewart) with Johnny Takter up. Maven was taken off the gate at the start from post eight and followed the field in the second tier until moving four wide off the final bend. She finished steadily, easily circling the balance of the field. She was off at 5.7/1 and raced with no shoes in front.
Vanika du Ruel (6f Jardy – Jacarandine) was third at 18/1 for trainer/driver Franck Anne ahead of Une Fille d’Amour (7f Infant du Bossis – Never So Great) at 23/1 for David Thomain, with fifth to 45/1 Linda di Casei (10f Uronometro – Comtesse Ferm) for trainer/driver Alessandro Gocciadoro.
Timoko reportedly will travel to the US later in 2015 to contest the International and the Breeders Crown.
Today Timoko was clocked in 1.11.3kr (1:54.72 mile time), well off the race record held by Varenne (1:52 established in 2002).
Timoko captured this race in 2013 timed in 1.10.2kr.
Thomas H. Hicks