Earl Simon best in Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf fifth leg

Earl Simon (8m Prodigious-Tindrana) is returning to top form as shown in his victory on Wednesday (May 25) in the fifth leg of the Gr. III Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (purse 90,000€, 2800 meters distance handicap, 5-10 year olds) at Le Croise-Laroche timed in a sharp 1.12.0kr over 2850 meters, yes, he overcame a 50 meter handicap.

Frank Ouvrie teamed the winner for trainer Jorma Niskanen and owner Ecurie Skytten. Off at 12/1 odds Earl Simon won his fourth straight after a long layoff. This was his 12th career victory now for 886,685€ earned. Second home was the 25 meter handicapped and 28/1 odds Freyja du Pont (7f Quinoa du Gers) reined by trainer Nicolas Bazire for Ecurie J.Y. Rayon and Company. The 25/1 odds and 25 meter penalized Eire d’Helios (8f Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree) was third for Francois Lagadeuc.

EARL SIMON REPLAY

Arqana Trot held its online Pop-Up sale this week and two well bred performers led the way. Ivensong (4f Ready Cash-Amy Crown-Love You) was sold to the USA based Katz/Libfeld breeding partnership for 300,000€. She will reside at Kentuckiana Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Diletta Axe (3f Muscle Hill-Rori Axe-Ready Cash) sold for 205,000€ to Jean-Pierre Barjon, the Le Trot President. This one will race out of the L.C. Abrivard barn. Both of these were trained previously by Philippe Allaire. Ivensong has career earnings of 207,600€ and Diletta Axe has earned 97,700€.

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink