Earl Simon wins Gr. II Prix Octave Douesne

Today’s excellent groupe action at Paris-Vincennes saw Earl Simon (4m Prodigious-Tindrana) take the Gr. II Prix Octave Douesnel (purse 120,000€, 2700 meters, four year olds) as the 2/5 favorite. Franck Ouvrie teamed the winner for trainer Jarmo Niskanen and Ecurie Skytten that was clocked in 1.13kr off even fractions.

The 7.1/1 Eridan (4m Ready Cash-Topaze d’Atout) was second, handled by David Thomain for trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Philippe Dewulf. Third went to the 5.9/1 Express Jet (4m Goetmals Wood-Run For Jet) that was reined by trainer Pierre Vercruysse and owner Ecurie des As. The winning Earl Simon is a model of consistency, now with 10 career victories in 17 starts, for 498,950€ earned.

Three year olds were on stage in the Prix de Mansle (Gr. III, purse 76,000€, 2100 meters autostart). The early fractions were quick and it led to a 1.12.5kr timed victory for 9/1 Fuego de Houelle (3g Rieussec-Pin Up de Houelle) teamed with Adrien Lamy. Franck Leblanc trains the winner for owner Andre Carree.

The 6.3/1 Flambeau Royal (3m Look de Star-Rodea Josselyn) was second with Jean Michel Bazire up and the 2/1 favorite Falco d’Heripre (3m Goetmals Wood-Vedeltad d’Heripre) held third for Franck Nivard.

The day’s Quinte+ event was the Prix Chinon (purse 50,000€, 2175 meters, 16 starters) and long odds top five finishers created a 149,528€ exact order payoff for the 2€ wager.

The race winner was 7.7/1 Erolina (4f Prodigious-Keralda) clocked in 1.12.4kr. Eric Raffin teamed the mare that was bred and is owner/trained by Alphonse Vanberghen. 6.3/1 Etones de Carsi (4f Okepi de Fael) was a good second with Yoann Lebourgeois teaming for trainer Franck Leblanc.

The 5.6/1 Eclipse d’Orient (4f Un Mec d’Heripre) was third with J.Ph. Monclin up for trainer Jarmo Niskanen. 49/1 Elite du Lys and 40/1 Endiablee completed the top five to the line.

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink