Rancho Gede filly wins Criterium des Jeunes

February 15, 2015 – The Gr. I Criterium des Jeunes (€200,000, 2700 meters, 13 starters, three year-olds) saw heavily favored Cristal Money disqualified from an early break, setting up victory for 5.7/1 Coquin Bebe (3m Rancho Gede – Noble Nenette) with J-M Bazier driving for trainer Franck Leblanc and clocked in 1.14.7kr with a solid closing brush. 36/1 Caid Griff (3m Password  -Savane Griff) was next for Eric Raffin and trainer Sebastien Guarato with third to 7/1 Canari Match (3m Extreme Aunou – Ruelle d’Ostal) with Franck Ouvrie up.

The Gr. III Prix de Heussey (€110,000, European monte, 2175 meters) went to  0.5/1 odds favorite Uppercut de Manche (7g Neutron du Cebe – Nuit de Manche) with Damien Bonne up for trainer Thierry Raffegeau as he scored by three lengths, clocked in 1.11.4kr after quick even fractions (1.09.6kr at 1500, 1.11.1kr at 1000, 1.11.5kr at 500). The winner sat outside the from the start pacesetter Nonant le Pin (8f Goetmals Wood – Blazing Janice – Pine Chip) at 6.7/1 ridden by David Thomain for trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro, and she jetted away at top of stretch but tired late and could not hold off the winner. Torre Crepin (8g Capriccio – Laraka) ended third at 41/1 with fourth to 5.4/1 second favorite Udayama (7g Echo – Lancia du Pont). The top four across the line raced without shoes.

The Gr. III Prix d’Orthez (€100,000, European four year-olds, 2700 meters, 15 starters) produced a front-end win for the Jerry Riordan trained, Bjorn Goop teamed Sapphire Bi (4f Conway Hall – Valley Jean Bi) at 2.5/1. The Scuderia Della Cass owned Italian filly scored in 1.14.5kr, without shoes, sprinting clear in the stretch with a quick kick (fractions 1.15.7kr at 1500 ; 1.15.3kr at 1000 ; 1.15kr at 500). 29/1 Bamako des Angles (4g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree – Ixia des Angles) was second for Pierre Vercruysse and trainer J.P. Piton with third to Italy’s Sir Robert (4m Adrian Chip – Lindes de Gloria) with Gabriel Gelormini up for trainer Santo Mollo and owner Scuderia Pentacom at 18/1 odds. Sapphire Bi

Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MGxxmH41cI

The undercard was also a good one. The opener was the monte Prix de Pouilly (€45,000, 12 starters) and the 1.14.5kr winner was Accro au Rock (5g Rocklyn – Nice Story) with Eric Raffin in the irons for Ecurie Victoria Dreams and trainer Philippe Moulinm. Off at 5.6/1 odds the winner defeated Andy de Touchyvon (5g Jeanbat de Vivier – Joy du Buisson) at 9/1 for jockey/trainer Franck Nivard that ended ahead of 65/1 Athletic Sport (5m Jag de Bellouet – Quipia Josselyn).

The Quinte+ Prix RMC (€54,000, 2700 meters, 18 European starters) went to Universal Rider (7m Nahar de Beval – Hanska) at 3.4/1 (co-favorite) with Mathieu Mottier up, clocked in 1.13.7kr (fractions 1.13.7kr at 1500, 1.14kr at 1000, 1.14.2kr at 500). The winner was well placed throughout and took the lead with 1500 meters to go. Tic Tac du Mont (8g Kerido du Donjon – Douala) was second for Anthony Barrier and trainer J-P Marmion also at 3.4/1 odds. Ulyssee de Curgies (7g Gabor Star – Idoles de Curgies) took third at 23/1 for Jos Verbeeck and trainer Eric Prudhom.

Universal Rider Reply : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SajNXPwM1-4

The Prix de la Gacilly (€56,000, 2700 Meters, 16 European females) went to Vadette des Landes (6f New des Landes – Dolia du Houlbet) at 12/1 for trainer/driver Sebastien Hardy. Timed in 1.14.4kr she defeated 24/1 Venture Jiel (6f Neoh Jiel  -Oceane Jiel) with Franck Ouvrie driving and third place 2.6/1 favorite Monas Invercote (6f Viking Kronos – Monas Speranza) for teamster Christophe Martens and trainer Svante Bath.

Alexas (5m Ganymede – Myrtille des Bois) captured, at 4/1, the Prix du Finistere (€80,000 purse, 2100 meters autostart, 11 starters) for trainer/driver J-M Bazire in a tightly contested finish. He was clocked in 1.15.2kr off slow fractions. Accordéon (5g Baccarat du Pont – Quaba des Conveu) was second at 31/1 for Benoit Robin ahead for Adman Perrine (5g Nijinski Blue – Pretty Perrine) for Franck Nivard at 9/1.

Thomas H. Hicks