Viborg wins on Turf in France

May 29 harness racing action at La Roche-Posay featured the €45,000 purse Prix du Cobseil Departmental de la Vienne for the turf masters over 2600 meters. 16 horses were at the start and at the 1.21.5kr timed finish emerged 5.3/1 odds winner Viborg (7m Mercenaire-Ocanelle) with Anthony Barrier reining. 2/1 favorite Tabasco Devil (9g Vivaldi de Chenu-Buena Nueva) took send for trainer/driver Ch. A Mary and third was 5.8/1 Verso de Crenes (7g Islero de Bellouet-Jet Set de Crenes) with J-P Maillard teaming.

Turf action also occurred at Vannes in the Prix du PKMU Marche Ocean (purse €36,000, 3200 meters, 18 starters). Valeur Ges (7f Quaro-Paolu du Maine) scored timed in 1.24.9kr with Fabien Gence driving for owner/trainer Sylvain Marmion. 81/1 Tino la Ravelle (9g Islero de Bellouet-Jirania la Ravelle) took second in a crowd ahead of 4.6/1 Anymede Flamandrum (9f Ganymede-Inquie de Cenoman).

Nancy Brabois trotting activity was back on the dirt course with the Grand Prix Paris-Turf (purse €30,000, 2600 meters, 13 European starters) and 9/10 favorite Bazic Dimanche (8g Orlando Vici-Stora Mellosa) scored for Dominik Locqueneux timed in 1.15.4kr. The Robert Bergh trainee is owned by Firma Stall Dimance (SWE). 7.4/1 Vega d’Urzy (7f Oiseau de Feux-Kalamata) took second spot of Philippe Masschaele with third going to 2.8/1 Prevedello (7g Pine Chip-Jovelinotte) and driver Christophe Martens, trainer Vincent Martens and Belgian owner Michel Nanqniot.

Thomas H. Hicks