The Festival of Cabourg brought out a large, enthusiastic crowd, aggressive wagering and superb racing Friday in France.
The €54,000 Gran Prix de la Ville de Cabourg was the feature, over 2850 meters distance handicapped, and it saw 16 entrants contest this Quinte+ race of the day with a €5.5 million jackpot. J-M Bazire piloted even money favorite Vinci de l’Abbaye to victory in 1.15.6kr over hard charging 11/1 odds Tamisso and Cedric Megissier with Tarass d’Amour third with Eric Raffin aboard. The winner is a five year-old son of Otello Pierji from Kyboumette and is trained by Jean-Michel Bazire.
The monte Prix Fandango for €52,000 went to David Thomain and his mount Ton Reve de Cahot in 1.13kr over 2850 meters, standard distance, plus his 25 meter handicap. The seven year-old gelded son of Hand du Vivier is trained by J-P Thomain and he scored at 4.6/1 odds. Titan du Closet was second with Richard Joly aboard and Quorum Quick was third for Olivier Touvais in the 17 horse field.
Jean-Michel Bazire scored a double in the Prix de la Ville de Gronneville for €34,000 over 2850 meters. Vertigo (5g Kool du Caux-Quenza de Bellouet) won it for Bazire and trainer Fabrice Souloy in 1.15.5kr over 14 rivals, overcoming a 25 meter handicap. 18/1 Viborg was second for Guillaume Moinon and he too overcame the 25 meter penalty imposed on the highest career earners.
An impressive, great gaited, lightly raced mare, A Special Night (4f Quaker Jet-Only One Night-Defi d’Aunou), took the Prix de la Ville d’Auberville for pilot Guillaume Blanchard and trainer Jorma Niskanen. The winner was off at 4.1/1 and she scored in 1.17.7kr over 2850 meters. 14 starters contested this event with the four year-old Insert Gede mare Annee Joyeuse second for Christopher Levaufre and trainer Tony Le Beller.
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink.com
