Munhoa Vedaquaise dominates Prix des Elites

A  fine trotting card was on stage today at Paris-Vincennes that began with the Prix  de Troyes (Gr III, 70,000€ purse, 2700 meters, 10 three year old  starters) with victory to the 3/10 odds favorite Nobel du Rib (3m Face Time Bourbon-Faiga du Rib) with J.L.Cl. Dersoir at the lines for Ecurie Rib and trainer the legendary Joel Hallais.

He recorded his third career victory in nine outings now for 138,980€ earned and today was clocked in 1.12.9kr. Home second was 24/1 odds Novecento (3m Earl Simon-Fauve) handled by Paul Philippe Ploquin for trainer Sylvain Roger and owner Noel Lolic.

The third finisher was 7.2/1 Non Stop de Foot (3m Gelati Cut-Princess Foot) handled by Matthieu Abrivard for trainer Romain Charles Larue and Ecurie Hawas.

The Grand Prix du Portugal (75,000€ purse, 2700 meters,15 European starters ages 7-11) saw blanket finish led by fast closing 6.6/1 odds Homard Land (9g Tresor Wic-Suzy des Vols) reined by David Thomain for owner/trainer L.A. Martin.

The winner now sports 17 wins in 81 starts for 383,010€.  Race  time was 1.12.5kr. Pacesetter 1.3/1 odds favorite Jet Express (7m Clif du Pommereux-Version Royale) held second a neck back with Matthieu Abrivard piloting the Philippe Daugeard trainee for Roland De Hannuna.

The 6/1 Je Reve du Bois (7g Reve de Beylev-Ballerine du Bois) held third for reinsman  Anthony Barrier and trainer Ch. Bruneau.

Finally the featured Prix des Elites (monte Gr I, 240,000€purse, 2175 meters, 12 four year old starters)  showcased a blowout victory for 1.5/1 odds favorite Munhoa Vedaquaise (4f Ready Cash-Espella Vedaquaise) clocked  in 1.10.4kr.

Jockey Paul Philippe Ploquin handled the Philippe Allaire trained and owned seven time  winner in 20 starts. She has earned 319.450€. Team Goire bred the winner that defeated 3.4/1odds Miss des Besaces (4f Memphis du Rib-Caldeira Turgot) that Alan Gendrot rode for trainer R.C. Larue and owner Ecurie Windcut. The 7.7/1 odds Marilou (4f Ready Cash-Grace Lady) was a very distant third ridden by Alexandre Abrivard for trainer Thierry Duvaldstin and owner Jean Pierre Barjon.

Paris-Turf, PMU files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink