26 engaged for Sunday’s Grand Prix de Paris

February 16, 2015 – Today’s Gr. II Prix Ovide Moulinet (€120,000, 2700 meters, 7 starters) was an expected victory for 0.5/1 favorite Aladin d’Ecajeul (5m Quaker Jet  -Nancy d’Ecajeul) with Eric Raffin up for trainer Sebastien Guarato. The winner, clocked in 1.13.2kr, now has 12 wins in 25 career starts for €818,740 earned for owner Ph. Dewulf. 5/1 Africaine (5f Oiseau de Feux – Italienne) was second for teamster Pierre Vercruysse and owner/trainer Jean-Etienne Dubois. 34/1 Alesia d’Atout (5f Defo d’Aunou – New York Jet) landed third for Mathieu Mottier.

Monday’s Quinte+ was the Prix de Cahors (€60,000, 18 European five year-olds, 2700 meters) and the 1.14.7kr winner was Italy’s Roxanne Bar (5f Exploit Caf – Guendalina Bar) at 13/1 for Roberto Andreghetti up for trainer Catello Savarese. She rallied off the final bend to gain the lead and sustained her drive to the line. Favorite 1.7/1 odds Action Package (5f Opium – Loumana Flor) was second for Pierre Levesque and trainer Mike Lenders. Italy’s 24/1 Rosemary Gar (5f Donato Hanover – Allstar FC) was third for Mario Minopoli and trainer Salvatore Minopoli.

The Prix de Bracieux (€56,000, 18 European starters) ended with victory by 3/1 Falcon Haleryd (6g Varenne – Falnos Ballona) teamed by Dominik Locqueneux for trainer Johan Untersteiner. Timed in 1.14.5kr the winner defeated a driving 8/1 King of the World (6m Magnificent Rodney – Queen of Hearts) with Michael Nimczyk up and third place 28/1 Viking du Pilet (6g Kuadro Wild – Indra du Pilet) handled by Franck Ouvrie.

The initial engagement for Sunday’s Gr. I UET Masters Series Grand Pris de Paris includes 26 and leading performers Timoko, Up And Quick and Roxane Griff. It looks to be a competitive group.

UET Masters Series – Groupe I – International – Attelé – 400.000 € – 4.150 mètres (2.58 miles) – Grande piste

Primes : 22 500 €, 12 500 €, 7 000 €, 4 000 €, 2 500 €, 1 000 €, 500 €
Prix : 180 000 €, 100 000 €, 56 000 €, 32 000 €, 20 000 €, 8 000 €, 4 000 €

Separately the excellent mare Prussia (6f Ken Warkentin – Elvezia-Pine Chip) was named Italy’s Trotter of the Year at ceremonies Sunday at Naples. The Pietro Gubellini trainee won the L’Etain Royal in Finland, the Gran Premio Turilli at Rome and the Gran Premio delle Nazioni at Naples.

Thomas H. Hicks