February 24, 2017 – 2.7/1 Bellina d’Ourville (6f Quaker Jet-Orsina) took today’s Quinte+ Prix Gallus II (purse €46,000, 2150 meters, 16 starters) timed in 1.15.4kr for reinsman Franck Nivard, owner Ecurie Elite and harness racing trainer Florent Lamare. Racing barefoot the winning mare rallied to nose out 14/1 Bahia Somolli (6f Millenium Wood-Italia Somolli) for Matias Dudouit, trainer Jerome Compas and Ecurie Somolli, her breeder/owner. 15/1 Bellone Speciale (6f Sam Bourbon-Jolie Jacqueline) was third for Pierre Vercruysse, trainer Mickael Lemercier and Ecurie Haras des Senora. The Q+ exact order payoff was €18,990 for a €2 play.

The program’s Prix de Montsalvy (purse €38,000, 2875 meters, 11 starters) went to 1.16.9kr clocked and 2.2/1 Electra Jet (3f Ready Cash-Olivia Jet) with trainer Pierre Vercruysse up. Ecurie des As owns the winner that Jean-Etienne Dubois bred. 7.4/1 Everglades (3f Rodrigo Jet-Penang) was second for trainer/driver Thomas Levesque and breeder/owner Pierre Levesque. 8/1 Extasia Bella (3f Prodigious-Rare Perle) was third for Alexandre Abrivard and owner/trainer L.Cl. Abrivard.

Tomorrow is the big one, the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr. I, purse €400,000, marathon distance 4150 meters, International 13 starters). Bold Eagle seeks the elusive Triple Crown of FR, a title that was missed last year when Lionel captured the 2016 Prix de Paris. Another previous winner, Up And Quick, is in the field and he is the race time record holder of 1.13.5kr set in 2015 and also a winner of this prestigious event in 2016. He has not in peak form for some time but anything can happen. The children will also be entertained during the Sunday program.

Thomas H. Hicks