June 25, 2017 – Besides Bold Eagle, monte groupe contests, food and entertainment, what else could there be. How about three more groupe events and the day’s important harness racing Quinte+.
The Gr. I Prix Albert Viel (purse €200,000, 2700 meters, 12 starters) went as it was supposed to be…..except….the 8/10 favorite Ecu Pierji (3m Tucson-Tosca Pierji) was a dq for being rough gaited in the lane while on a comfortable lead. Therefore, this Sebastien Guarato trainee faced a rare defeat and the…winner was….8/1 Eros du Chene (3m Un Amour d’Haufor-Oulanova de Lou) with Matthieu Abrivard driving for trainer Julien Le Mer and breeder/owner Claude Geudj timed in 1.14.4kr. 50/1 Easy des Racques (3m Rodrigo Jet-Ombre des Racques) was placed third with J.Ph. Monclin aboard and 59/1 Elite du Ruel (3f Timoko-Romance du Ruel) was awarded third, this one trained and driven by Franck Anne and bred/owned by Annick Bazin.
The Gr. III Prix de Grasse (purse €80,000, 2850 meters, 18 starters) produced a rallying 1.13.8kr timed score for 9/1 Bel Avis (6g Ganymede-Gloria Maris). Jean-Michel Bazire teamed his trainee to victory for Wildenstein Stables Ltd. 21/1 Flex Lane (6m Federal Flex-Margo Hall) tool second for Gabriele Gelormini and trainer L.I. Nilsson in a blanket covering photo over 92/1 Tano Fohle SM (5g Ganymede-Fohle BSM) reined by Antonio Di Nardo.
The finale this day was another groupe contest, the Prix Raymond Fouard (Gr. III, purse €85,000, 2850 meters, 10 starters. The 4.3/1 Orlando Jet (4m Orlando Vici-Chicolina) rallied from back to sweep past the field in the late stages for the 1.15kr timed score. Trainer Rudolf Haller was at the lines for Team Neuhof (AUT), the owner. The second place horse, also 4.3/1, was Dragon des Racques (4m Love You-Quinte des Racques) driven by Alexandre Abrivard for trainer L.Cl. Abrivard. Third went to 57/1 United Love (4m Conway Hall-Dolly Kronos) in rein to Eric Raffin. Unika Steed was unplaced at 52/1 for J-M Bazire. Rudy Haller was one happy teamster.
Today’s Quinte+ was the Prix Bertrand Deloison at Vincennes (purse €90,000, 2850 meters, 14 starters) and the 1.4/1 favorite Afghan Barbes (7g Meaulnes du Corta-Nuance Barbes) scored timed in 1.13.7kr for Ch. J. Bigeon, driving for trainer Christian Bigeon and breeder/owner Andre Francis Bigeon. 1.9/1 Uza Josselyn (6f Love You-Teza Josselyn) took second for J-M Bazire, ahead of 22/1 Opitergium (9m Pine Chip-Jovelinotte) reined by Dominik Locqueneux for trainer Lutfi Kolgjini and Stall Courant AB. Violine Mourotaise and Best Buissonay completed the top five. The Bigeon stable continue their excellent streak from the Vincennes Winter Meet.
Thomas H. Hicks