680,000€ in monte finals highlight Vincennes program

Today’s (June 23) superb championship harness racing program at Vincennes included three monte finals for three-, four- and five-year-old specialists totaling 680,000€ in purses.

In the Prix  d’Essi (Etrier 3 Ans Finale, purse 200,000€, 2700 meters, 13 open three-year-old monte starters) the 6.8/1 odds Lexie de Banville (3f Real de Lou-Canne Biere) scored in 1.13.2kr with Adrien Lamy in the irons for owner/trainer Thomas Levesque.

The winner now has four victories in 11 starts for 193,880€ earned. Lutin des Bordes (3m Bilibili) was second at 4.8/1 with Anthony Barrier the jockey for trainer J.P. Monclin and the 3/1 odds favorite Little Orelie (3f Feeling Cash) took third for trainer/jockey Mathieu Mottier. Lucky Sibey and Louissime took the next checks.

To watch the race replay, click here.

In the Gr. I Prix de Normandie Etrier 5 Ans Finale (monte, purse 240,000€, 3000 meters, 16 starters) the 4.5/1 odds Jeroboam d’Erable (5m Prodigious-Amircute) was an easy winner timed in 1.11.9kr with Damien Bonne in the irons.

Ecurie Haras d’Erable bred and owns this one that Clement Thomain trains. This was his fifth career win in 26 starts now for 331.690€ earned. Jean Balthazar (5m Alto de Viette) was second ridden by Benjamin Rochard at 5.1/1 for trainer Pascal Castel. Third was 13/1 J’Aime le Foot (5m Boccador de Simm) and jockey Paul Philippe Ploquin in the irons. Jes de Fruit and Jade d’Amour were fourth and fifth.

To watch the race replay, click here.

The last monte Gr. 1 test of the day was the Gr. I monte Prix President Republique Etrier 4 Ans Finale (purse 240,000€, 2850 meters, 14 starters age four) Kyrielle des Vaux (4f Rolling d’Heripre-Noisette du Vaux) rallied to score by a length timed in 1.12.4kr.

Off at 14/1 odds the now six-time winner from 19 starts was handled by jockey Guillaume Lenain for trainer Charley Mottier. Dominique Gallienne owns the winner that now has earned 487,120€. Finishing second was 8.8/1 Kelly de Banville (4f Eridan) with Paul Philippe Ploquin aboard. Kalif Landia (4f Un Charme Fou) was next with Benjamin Rochard in the irons at 4.5/1 odds. Weel-regarded Kyt Kat, Kona de Beylev and Karma were all miscue dq’s.

There were two Gr. III tests on today’s Champions card at Vincennes. The Gr. III Prix Ouest France (purse 80,000€, 2175 meters eight four-year-old starters) went to 1.7/1 second choice Keep Going (4m Follow You-Discovery Bond-Royal Dream) with Mathieu Mottier driving his trainee to a 1.10.3kr score, his seventh win in 26 starts for 210,020€ earned. He bested Kanto Avis (4m Ready Cash) and 5/10 favorite Krack Time Atout (4m Face Time Bourbon).

Then the Gr. III Prix RMC (purse 90,000€, 2850 meters, 16 European starters five-year-olds) saw Jiosco de Phyts (5m Bolero Love-Andalouse de Cedre) score in 1.11.8kr for Eric Raffin and trainer J.M. Baudouin off at 3/1 odds. He now has seven wins in 31 outings for 267,170€. Finishing second was Jango Vici (5m Dragon des Racques) with third to Just A Midi (5m Captain Crazy).

Trotteur Francais, Paris-Vincennes files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink