Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur

Sunday’s Classic Gr. I International Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote d’Azur is a unique FR trotting event, being contested on 1609 meters (one-mile) autostart.

The purse is €200,000 and the field is likely a competitive one for this 2017 European Masters Series race. The engaged list is shown below:

Engaged: Name/Trainer/Career Earnings Euro

Galactica, M. Bergstrom, 196,283

Diadora BR, V. Martens, 233,806

Red Rose America, H.E. Bondo, 415,507

Treasure Kronos, Riordan, 417,656

Rod Stewart, Riordan, 456,729

Vicomte Boufarcaux, M.J. Ruault, 486,830

Call Me Keeper, Reden, 558,890

Timone EK, Billard, 569,161

Rocky Winner, Westholm, 655,408

Brillantissime, Allaire, 950,725

Anna Mix, Leblanc, 1,062,736

Voltigeur de Myrt, R. Donati, 1,38,867

Oasis Bi, S. Petterson, 1,571,218

Un Mec d’Heripre, Billard, 1,602,930

Up And Quick, Leblanc, 1,933,540

Timoko, Westerink, 4,401,098

The Criterium of Speed began in 1958 (became 1609 meters in 1962) and is now the only Groupe I mile race in France, and the highlight of  the Cagnes-sur-Mer meet. The FR-bred champions have dominated this sprinter event and many champions won this race and the 2700 meters Prix d’Amerique – Rocquepine, Bellino II, Eleazar, High Echelon, Ideal du Gazeau, Hymour, Ourasi, Kesaco Phedo, Meaulnes du Corta and others. Standardbreds Nike Hanover, Moni Maker, Gigant Neo and Varenne captured this double. Ourasi was winner in 1986 and 1989 and race record holder (1.09.1kr) Timoko took the trophy in 2013 and 2015-2016.

Despite Bold Eagle’s absence Sunday’s tussle on the sea should be superb.

Thomas H. Hicks