The January 5th harness racing card at Paris-Vincennes included the Prix de Mezieres (purse €35,000, 2700 meters, 12 starters) with victory to 6/1 Douchka Love (3f Love You-Shucca) driven by Bernard Piton for owner Jean-Pierre Dubois and trainer Yves Boireau. Timed in 1.17.7kr the winner bested 9/1 Danae Quesnot (3f Rocklyn-Megara) handled by Eric Raffin and 1.3/1 favorite Duchesse de Jiel (3f Oiseau de Feux-Quilea Jiel) driven by Mathieu Abrivard. The winners’ dam Shucca (Goetmals Wood-Hucca-Kimberland) was a winner of US$226,073 and second at age three in the Prix d’Essai. Bothg of her previous two foals raced and were money winners. Kimberland is a son of Nevele Pride-Astrasia-Jamin.
The day’s Quinte+ (jackpot €2.8 million) was the Prix de Poitiers (purse €80,000, 2700 meters, 18 starters) the produced a 1.13.5kr winner at 3.1/1 odds, namely Unice de Guez (8f Capriccio-Eau Alecche) handled by trainer J-M Bazire for Ecurie Vautors. This one defeated 10/1 Union du Rib (8f Fleuron Perrine-Hermine du Rib) driven by trainer J.L.Cl. Dersoir for Ecurie Jeloca with third to 5.2/1 Uniflosa Bella (8f Jag de Bellouet-Koctiflosa Gede) reined by Eric Raffin for Jean-Paul Marmion, trainer and owner.
Favored 1.8/1 odds Blackaro (5g Quaro-Rodness Queen) took the Prix de Cordemais (purse €46,000, 2700 meters, 18 starters) timed in 1.14.8kr for teamster Mathieu Abrivard. Franck Nivard piloted 5.4/1 Bocognano (5m Coktail Jet-Qualarossa) to second for trainer Jorgen Westholm and Ecurie Nolimit AB. 11.8/1 Buzz Sly (5m Repeat Love-Riviera As) was third for trainer/driver Pierre Vercruysse.
On January 6th the Paris-Vincennes’ featured Prix de Covey-le-Chateau (purse €70,000, 2700 meters, 10 starters) went to the 1.15.6kr timed and 1.9/1 odds favorite Cova Josselyn (4f Love You-Sezira Josselyn) driven by trainer J-M Bazire for owner Yvan Bernard. 4/1 Comtesse du Chene (4f Quaker Jet-Imperiale du Chene) was a rallying second for Pierre Vercruysse and 59/1 Claire des Baux (4f Nectar-Polina des Baux) ended third for P-Y Verva.
Thomas H. Hicks