Koctel du Dain by a nose in 120,000€ feature

Philippe Allaire’s owned and trained Koctel du Dain (4m Boccador de Simm-Ophelie) prevailed by a nose to win the Prix des Tonnac-Villeneuve (Gr. II, purse 120,000€, 2875 meters, 12 starters four-year olds) this day (April 20) at Enghien-Soisy in France.

He was clocked in 1.13.9kr with David Thomain piloting and won for the 12^th time in 21 career starts. The 7/10 odds favorite has now earned 760,750€ from those 12 victories. He was bred by Regis Merlet.

Krack Time Atout (4m Face Time Bourbon-Topaze d’Atout) hounded the winner and just missed second at 6.4/1 for driver Paul Philippe Ploquin and trainer Sebastien Guarato and for owned Philippe Barbe. Keenan de Joudes (4m Ready Cash-Brianna de Joudes) at 6.1/1 odds and reined by J. Ph. Monclin was third for owned Ecurie Olivier Morel. Fourth was 9/1 Kaviarissime (4m Love You-Elegantissime) trained by Allaire for owner/breeder Frederic Sauque and reined by Gabriele Gelormini.

In the Prix de la Ville d’Eaubonne (purse 71,000€, 2875 meters, 13 European starters age five) the 8/10 favorite Jazzman Debailleul (5m Repeat Love-Scarlet Baby) gamely held on for the victory, his seventh in 28 career appearances. Franck Nivard teamed the Erno Szirmay owned and trained performer that has now earned 216,100€.

Destino DJ (5m Wishing Stone-Malia) was second at 9/1 odds with Paul Philippe Ploquin aboard for trainer H.E. Bondo. Bondo’s trainee Die Hard (5m Bird Parker) was third at 36/1 with Eric Raffin driving and 16/1 Dardo Zack (5m Libeccio Grif) was fourth for trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard,

Earlier we reported on the fine victory of Horsy Dream in the Prix de l’Atantique timed in 1.10.2kr. That winning time was a stake record surpassing the 1.10.6kr previous mark set by Looking Superb. That Norway invader was successfully trained by Jean Michel Bazire during that time.

Of further note on the competitive Enghien card was the Prix Ville de Soisy Sous Montmorency (purse 68,000€, 2150 meters autostart, 16 starters ages 7-11) that Fonzy d’Heripre (9g Un Mec d’Heripre) won in 1.11.6kr at 19/1 with Matthieu Abrivard driving for trainer L.C. Abrivard. This was the winner’s 21st victory in 72 starts now for 317,280€ earned. He bested 11/1 Belzebu’Jet (7m Wishing Stone) for Gabriele Gelormini and trainer H.E. Bondo.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Enghien-Soisy, Trotter Francais files/photos-harness trots

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink