November 20, 2016 – 8.6/1 Anna Mix (6f Ludo de Castelle-Ires) rallied in spectacular fashion for harness racing driver Franck Nivard and owner/trainer Franck Leblanc to get up in the final strides and win the Gr. II Grand Prix de Bretagne (purse €120,000, 2700 meters, 18 international starters).

Anna caused a false start, as she has done in the past, but with a little handler help got away on a second try, albeit many lengths behind the field.

After 600 meters she had only one horse beaten and then began moving forward with cover in the third tier.

She entered into contention, second over in tier three, late in the final bend and began a steady surge that nailed 4/1 Propulsion (5m Muscle Hill-Danae) and driver Orjan Kihlstrom (trainer Daniel Reden and owner Stall Zet) nearing the line.

24/1 Princess Grif (7f Varenne-Fauve Grif) was third for Roberto Andreghetti (trainer Fabrice Souloy, owner Azienda Agricola Biasuzzio.

The top three earned an automatic qualification to the Prix d’Amerique, as will the top three finishers in the remaining B’s.

7.3/1 Bird Parker (5m Ready Cash) was fourth for pilot Anthony Barrier and fifth was 219/1 outsider Trebol (9m Hot Blues), frome Spain, with trainer Gabriel Angel Pou at the line.

The winner was timed in 1.13.1kr off even fractions (1.13.3kr at 1500 to go ; 1.13.kr at the 1000, 1.13.5kr at 500 to go).

Replays :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAaVE-aosA

#15 Anna Mix ; #6 Propulsion ; #13 Princess Grif ; #16 Bird Parker ; #9 Trebol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVJmnae7Qaw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu1P9S78YHA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwZY3NGCxdA

Thomas H. Hicks