December 24, 2015 – 18/1 Una Fix (7f Kiwi-J’Y Pense-Jet du Vivier) in rein to driver/trainer Franck Ouvrie for owner Mme. Odile Cordier took today’s Quinte+ (jackpot €4.75 million) at Vincennes, timed in 1.14.2kr over the 2700 meter grande piste. Contested by 18 European starters for a €58,000 purse this Prix d’Amboise winner (scoring her third straight victory) prevailed in rated fractions (1.13.7kr at 1500 meters to go; 1.13.9kr at 1000; 1.14.8kr at 500). 1.3/1 favorite Vacate Money (6f Prodigious-Making Money) was a rallying second for Jean-Philippe Dubois, trainer Philippe Moulin and Ecurie Victoria Dreams. 11.6/1 Venise Girl (6f Oxford du Rib-Matanza’s Girl) was third for driver/trainer/owner Yves Dreux ahead of 14.4/1 Fortuna Sund (6f Angus Hall-Nanny As) teamed by Dominik Locqueneux for trainer Peter G. Norman and owner Peter Eriksson.

The Prix de Compiegne (purse €64,000, 2700 meters, 11 European contestants) went to the 1.14.3kr timed, 2.8/1 odds Anry de l’éclair (5g Hulk des Champs-Judicieuse Sun) driven by Tony Le Beller for Ecurie Éclair and trainer Nicolas Catherine. The fractions were soft at the end (1.12.1kr at 1500 to go; 1.13.3kr at 1000, 1.15kr at 500). 96/1 outsider Aralo Montaval (5m Qualypso Jiel-Ovalie Montaval) was second for Vincent Seguin and trainer Fabrice Lercier, with 22.6/1 Ryan Kronos (5g Varenne-Lollypopwise) home third for Franck Ouvrie, trainer Peter G. Norman and Ecurie Loaded Boys.

Jean-Philippe Dubois was in the winners enclosure in the €46,000 purse Prix de Sable sur Sarthe (2100 meters autostart, 14 starters) with his 1.12.4kr timed, 4.6/1 odds Bel Auteur (4m Password-Possession-Gros Grain) that Philippe Moulin trains and Ecurie Victoria Dreams owns. The winner held gamely to defeat 63.3/1 longshot Bel Air (4g Ganymede-Kaldeira) handled by P-Y Verva for trainer/owner Franck Boismartel. 5.4/1 Bocognano (4m Coktail Jet-Qualarossa) was third for Franck Nivard, trainer Jorgen Westholm and Ecurie Nolimit HB. Fractions were quick in this contest (1.07.5kr at 1500; 1.10.7kr at 1000; 1.12.3kr at 500).

Jean-Philippe Dubois was back for another win in the Prix de Gencay (purse €36,000, 2700 meters, 15 starters) scoring in 1.16.9kr with 5/1 Crazy Charm (3m Prodigious-Know How-Blue Dream), this one also Philippe Moulin trained and Ecurie Victoria Dreams owned. 54/1 Chuck Calendes (3m Quai Bourbon-Oka de Calendes) landed second for owner/trainer/driver Ch. Dreux, ahead of 27/1 Calimero (3m Nectar-Kosmaye) with David Thomain up for Emmanuel Ruault, trainer for Ecurie Comte P. de Montesson.

Two year-olds contested the €35,000 Prix des Iris (2200 meters, 13 male starters) with 3.4/1 Dijon (2m Ganymede-Sonate d’Aunou-Coktail Jet-Klassik Aunou) scoring in 1.17.4kr for Romain Derieux, trainer for Antonio De Sousa. Klassik Aunou is also dam of US$244,000 winner Transamerica by Offshore Dream. 16/1 Diplomatic Deal (2m Password-Nymphe Jet) landed second for Frederic Senet, trainer Mme. Michele Stihl and owner H.G. Stihl. Third went to 37/1 Don Vito Gap (2m Power Jet-Quiberonnaise) for Sebastien Hardy and trainer Patrick Guarnieri.

At Cagnes-Sur-Mer the Grand Prix de Noel (purse €60,000, 2150 meters, Gr. III with 13 starters) went to 16/1 Soumoulou (9g First de Retz-Nouvelle Perle) for owner/trainer/teamster Anthony Laigron. The 1.12.8kr winner scored his 19th victory in 122 outings and increased his career earnings to 611,000. 61/1 Vicomte Boufarcaux (6m Oh James-Olympe du Bouford) landed second for Loris Garcia with 7/2 Un Diamant d’Amour (7g Diamant Gede-Havana de la Motte) third for trainer/driver Ch.A Mary. Veteran Treskool du Caux (8m Kool du Caux-Intervista) was fourth at 25/1 for Yannick A. Briand driving for trainer Fabrice Souloy. The actual race winner at 29/1 was the disqualified Sud and 5/2 favorite Ricimer was also a dq.

At Mons Ghlin (Belgium) the Grand Prix de Noel Belgique (purse €8,400, 2850 meters, 8 International starters) went to fast closing 2.1/1 Ru De l’Airou (10g Cygnus d’Odyssee-Cour d’Intheville) driven in the 1.14.5kr photo score by Nico d’Haenen for trainer Jean-Marc Chaineux and owner Sven Hoste. 4/5 favorite Univers de Pan (7m Kenya du Pont-Gypsilore-Pan de la Vaudere) was a close second for trainer/driver Philippe Daugeard, in his continued effort to regain top form, with 12/1 Vic Felin (6g Lejacque d’Houlbec-Krisma des Bois) third for trainer/driver Kristof Depuydt.

Also at Mons the Grand Criterium for Belgian Three Year-Olds (purse €10,800, 2300 meters autostart, 12 starters) was held and the 19.5/1 odds winner was Cooper Peron (3g Magnificent Rodney-Mistimee) for driver Erik Van Capellen and trainer Luc X.M. Verpoorten. The 1.16kr winner defeated 1.3/1 favorite Indo Loco (3g Pittman-Volita Wynendale-Super Darby) for Gunther Loix and trainer/owner Hedwig Sleaurs. 2.7/1 Inlove Vrijthout (3g Love You-Penny Jet) was a close third for Nico d’Haenen and owner/trainer Rudy Smets.

Yesterday at Bergsaker veteran classmaster Nahar (10g Love You-Mahonny Broline-Joie de Vie), former Elitloppet winner, took the Gosta Bergengrens Minne (150,000SEK to the winner, 2140 meters autostart) at 2.8/1 odds for trainer/driver Robert Bergh. 2.1/1 Cool Keeper (5m Broadway Hall-Missys Go Go-Yankee Glide) landed second for trainer/driver Leif Witasp with 7/1 Labero Broline (7m Pine Chip-Armbro Natural-Speedy Crown) third for Orjan Kihlstrom and trainer Svante Bath.

Thomas H. Hicks