December 16, 2018 – The Prix de Briare (purse 55,000€, 2700 meters, 15 European starters) kept the winning streak going for 1.1/1 favorite Valokaja Hindo (7m Great Challenger-Jindo Enghave) and harness racing trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire. Eirik Djuve (Norway) owns the winner now of five straight in seven starts in France. His career earnings increased to 231,504€. Race time was 1.13.9kr. 14/1 Casting de Chenu (6m Baccarat du Pont) was second for Tony Le Beller and trainer/owner J-M Baudouin.
The Prix de Cancale (purse 48,000, 2850 meters, 12 starters) saw the excellent performance of Florence Bourbon (3f Ready Cash-Urgentissime-Coktail Jet-Ivre de Victoire) continue. Off at 3.7/1 Bjorn Goop piloted the winner for trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Ecurie du Haras de Saint Martin. Race time was 1.15.5kr for the nose winner that now has five career wins in six starts, for 77,260€ earned. 6.4/1 Feen du Goutier (3f Un Mec d’Heripre-Queen Bourbon-Love You-Urika Speed) was an almost dead-heat second with Yoann Lebourgeois up for trainer Guarato and Ecurie Saint Martin. Fairy White (3f Ouragon de Celland) was third for Anthony Barrier.
Monte specialists battled in the Prix de Limeil (purse 70,000€, 2850 meters, eight European starters) with 6.8/1 Crepe de Satin (6f Le Retour-Ina d’Avril) prevailing for jockey Mlle. Mathilde Collet and trainer Bruno Marie. Race time was 1.15.2kr. The 2/5 favorite Carla du Chatelets (6f Jag de Bellouet) held second for Mlle. Oceane Briand and third was 8.1/1 Brainstorm (7m Polerol de Laumac) with Matthieu Abrivard in the irons.
At Milano le Maura (Italy) was the Palio dei Proprietari (purse 36,300€, 2700 meters, 12 starters) with the 1.16.5kr timed victory to Tornado del Vento (6m Light Kronos-Gara del Vento-Toss Out) reined by Giuseppe de Filippis. Seleniost (7m Varenne-LeFirst-Indro Park) was second ahead of Umberto Axe (5m Love You-La Furiosa Spin-Angus Hall). Well regarded Severino raced at or near the front early before fading badly.
Thomas H. Hicks