Several Groupe tests at Vincennes

April 7, 2018 – Saturday’s excellent Paris-Vincennes harness racing program showcased four groupe tests led off by the Prix de Plovescat (monte, Gr. II, purse €120,000, 2700 meters, nine starters) and won by the 1.12.1kr timed  and 2/5 favorite Arlington Dream (8g Ready Cash-Ialla Clairchamp). Jockey Yoann Lebourgeois was in the irons for trainer Philippe Allaire and owner Fredric Sauque as Arlington Dream recorded his 19th career victory in 64 outings, now for €865,800 earned, with this 1.12.1klr timed score. 9/2 Vrai Voyou (9g Gazouillis) was second for Adrien Lamy ahead of 6.4/1 Alpha Saltor (8m Paris Haufor) with Matthieu Abrivard up.

Between the groupe races was the Prix des Federation Quest at Basse-Normandie (purse €55,000, 2100 meters autostart, 18 European starters). The impressive 1.11.1kr timed winner was 4.2/1 Diamond (8g Classic Photo-Gala dei Bessi) reined by Matthieu Abrivard for trainer Paul Hagoort and Ecurie Mille Fleurs. 5.6/1 Class de Loriol (6f Ready Cash) was a good second for Eric Raffin and 46/1 Lover Face (10g Love You) was third for driver Franck Nivard.

The Prix de Saint Brieve(Gr. II, purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 15 starters four year old females) went to 1.12.4kr timed and 5/10 favorite Erming d’Oliverie (4f Scipion du Goutier-Thesa d’Oliverie) with Franck Nivard up. Franck Leblanc trains the winner for Ecurie de l’Oliverie. 63/1 Elisione Mag (4f Quaker Jet) was next for Alexandre Abrivard and 14/1 Elite du Ruel (4f Timoko) was third for Franck Anne.

Four year old males competed in the Gr. II Prix Phaeton (purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 11 four year old male starters) with 14/1 Ever Pride (4m Prodigious-Queenly Pride) scoring timed in 1.12.2kr. Gabriele Gelormini teamed the Sebastien Guarato trainee that Philippe Dewulf owns. 6.2/1 Earl Simon (4m Prodigious-Tindrana) was second for driver Franck Nivard and trainer Jarmo Niskanen. 59/1 Easy des Racques (4m Rodrigo Jet) was third for J.Ph. Monclin and 7.1/1 Express Jet (4m Goetmals Wood), Pierre Vercruysse up, was placed fourth in the blanket finish when 2.4/1 Eridan was a dq nearing the line.

The Prix de Santes (Gr. III, purse €60,000, 2100 meters, 11 three year old filly starters) went to 1.13.1kr timed and 9/2 odds Fantastic Life (3f Prodigious-True Life) scored for Jean Philippe Dubois, trainer Philippe Moulin and Ecurie Victoria Dreams. 7.8/1 Freegate Island (3f Timoko-Agresica) rallied for second for driver Pierre Vercruysse, trainer Bjorn Goop and owners P&D Bronsman. 15/1 French Darling (3f Love You-Native Darling) was third for Matthieu Abrivard, her second start after being acquired at the January Prix d’Amerique sale.

Offspring of the successful sire Prodigious (Goetmals Wood-Imagine d’Odyssee-Buvetier d’Aunou) were evident in this program and the €644,130 has been a consistent successful sire including Vision Intense, Valse Darling, Carat Williams and others.

Sharon Gar Takes Q+ at Vincennes

April 7, 2018 – Saturday’s Q+ Prix du Treport (purse €85,000, 2700 meters, 1 European starters) went to 11/1 Sharon Gar (7f Varenne-Geneve Gar) timed in 1.13.5kr for reinsman J.Ph. Monclin, trainer Philippe Billard, and owner Scuderia Rory’s Horses. The winner now has career earnings of €441,714. 5.8/1 Venose de Minel (9g Laetenter Diem) took second for Tony LeBeller ahead of 21.1 Unbridled Charm (10m Password) driven by Jean Philippe Dubois. Completing the quinte top five were 16/1 Blooma d’Heripre (7f Rolling d’Heripre) for Eric Raffin and even money favorite Bel Avis (7g Ganymede) reined by J-M Bazire for Ireland’s legendary Wildenstein Stables Ltd.

Thomas H. Hicks