March 6, 2015 – Racing at Hippodrome de la Cote d’Azur (Cagnes sur mer) this weekend features Sunday’s Criterium de Vitesse, but the Friday evening seven race card began the festivities with five events at the 1609 meters autostart (one mile) distance. European performers won the first four races for the sprinters.
Leticia Bi (10f Sugarcane Hanover – Amerique Top – Coktail Jet) took the Prix de Naples (€18.000, European starters) in 1:57.91 as the 0.8/1 favorite. Trainer Edoardo Moni teamed the Italian invader to victory for owner Scuderia Pari, her 38th career win for €336.692 earned.
Marshal Hackstable (10m Power to Charm – Melodic Hackstable – VIP Tilly) took the Prix de Padoue (€32,000, European eligibles) at 6.2/1 for Bjorn Goop driving for trainer Sofia Aronsson. The Frakstad Lantbruss AB owned mare from Sweden scored in 1:55.87 for her eighth career win good for €147,450 earned.
The Prix de Pise (€25,000, European females) went to Italy’s Princess Kronos (6f Donato Hanover – Malibus Princess – Malabar Man) timed in 1:56.96 for reinsman Christophe Martens, trainer Vincent Martens and owner Ecurie du Domaine du Pak. The even-money favorite recorded her 10th career win for €98,355 earned.
The Prix de Bologne (€25,000, European males) went to 12/1 Pacha dei Greppi (6m Juliano Star – Dresda dei Greppi-Cougar Lobell) with Antonio Greppi up for trainer Holger Ehlert and owner Nicola del Rosso. This Italian raider scored in 1:56.42 for career win 20 and €94,312 earned.
The Prix de Modena (€8,000, Amateur drivers) ended the evening of speed with a 1:57.29 victory by Ultorius (7g Biesolo – Novelty – Lutin d’Isigny) and teamster Sophie Blancheiere. Yannick A. Briand trains the winner, favored at 1.4/1, for owner Ecurie Aime Gavin, that recorded career win seven for €75,710.
Thomas H. Hicks