April 6, 2017 – Today’s interesting harness racing action was at Mons Ghlin (BE) and LaCapelle (FR). The former included the Prix de Paques Balgique (purse €7200, 2850 meters, nine international contestants).
The 1.14.5kr timed winner was veteran 1:2 odds favorite Truman Dairpet (10g Biesolo-Heloise Poterie) reined by Piet Van Poll for Union Stable. This campaigner recorded his 22nd victory in 96 career starts for €589,000 earned. 4.3/1 Duke Of Greenwood (7m Otello Pierji-Nikki Groenhof) held second for trainer Peter J. Strooper and reinsman Hugo W. Langeweg. 30/1 Bi Vivant (12g Armbro Kaiser-Elady) was third.
The Prix Journal Eurotierce (purse €5,400, 1750 meters autostart, 11 international starters) went to quick-stepping, 1.12.2kr timed, favorite 9/10 odds, Touch Of Wind Bi (5f Varenne-Catch The Wind) reined by Rik Ebbinge. J.W.M. Engwerda trains the winner that defeated 15/1 Darcy River (7f Incredible Crafts-Virginia River) and driver Rik Weuters with third to 54/1 Proud Of My Face (5f Gift Kronos-Armbro Daffodil) and reinsman Guido Laureys.
At LaCapelle (FR), the Prix les Etangs (purse €21,000, 2750 meters autostart, 15 starters) went to even-money favorite Canadair (5f Meaulnes du Corta-Sissi de la Vallee) reined by trainer Dion P. Tesselaar for breeder/owner Nicolas Handrikus Dekker. 12/1 Cuba Libre (5g Nahar de Beval) was second for J.Ch Piton and 49/1 Cesar Leniwen (5f Riussec) was third. Winning time was 1.14.4kr.
The Prix Bofferding (purse €20,000, 2700 meters autostart, 16 starters) went to 1.14.9kr timed and 7/2 odds Bonheur Nocturne (6g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree-Rencontre Joyeuse). Pierre Vercruysse reined this winner that bested 6/1 Alter Ego (7m Goetmals Wood-Gissi James) driven by Yann Lorin and third finishing 7.4/1 Bourbon Jab (6m Kaisy Dream) with Bernard Piton aboard.
Thomas H. Hicks