Trophee Vert sixth leg to Bob

June 4, 2017 – Today’s top turf trotting action was at Alencon with the sixth leg of the Trophee Vert series. The Grand Prix Seche Environement (purse €45,000, 225 meters distance handicap, 18 starters on the grass) went to 9/10 favorite Bob (6m Overtrick-Fee du Houx) reined by Eric Raffin for owner/trainer Estelle Dessartre. This one overcame a 25 meter handicap to record his 10th career victory now for €199.030 earned. 41/1 and 25 meter penalized Viola Ecus was second for Martial Gilard and 18/1, 25 meter handicapped. Viking Fromentro was third for Pierre Levesque. Uniflosa Bella and Tresor Wic finished fourth and fifth.

FR and PMU sponsored trots took place this day at Dundalk, Ireland, the nations’ only lighted all- weather track. Four FR trots took place, each for a €7,000 purse and raced over 2000 meters. Fields ranging from 14-15 trotters contested each race and FR driver Pierre Vercruysse took part in each, but without a victory. The winners were 12/1 Vichy de Moem (8m Vivaldi de Chenu) teamed by Alan Richardson timed in 1.20.2kr; 7/1 Balarou des Iles (6m Osiris de Corbery) for Alan Wallace Sr. clocked in 1.21.7kr; 8/1 Ariane des Tithais (7f Olitro) with Seamus Quill aboard timed in 1.21.3kr and 21/1 Balzac de Villars (6m Roi du Coq) scored in 1.20.5kr.

Turf trotting continued with the monthly action at Madinina Marftinque over their 1200 meter grass course. The Prix de Grosbois (purse €5,000, 2600 meters distance handicapped) went to 1.26.1kr timed and 50 meter handicapped Yoly du Visais (9g Defi d’Aunou-Pristina Jet) with Christine Lebreton aboard, she also owner and trainer. The Prix de Cabourg (purse €5,000, 2600 meters distance handicapped) went to Ussein Royal (9g Lilium Madrik-Itgeloire) piloted by Jean Francois Gate, timed in 1.19.4kr for the winning owner/trainer Christine Lebreton, a training double for the afternoon.

Thomas H. Hicks