Calita Wood upsets at 52-1 for Jean-Pierre Dubois

On an Enghien Saturday card that included groupe action and the Q+ wagering race of the day, veteran owner/driver Jean-Pierre Dubois teamed his  52/1 outsider Calita Wood (4f Goetmals Wood-Qualita Bourbon) to victory in the Gr. III Prix du Louvre (purse €80,000, 2875 meters, 13 starters).

Calita Wood is trained by Yves Boireau for Dubois and was bred by Ecurie Dream With Me.

Timed in 1.14.5kr the filly rallied for a half-length score over 4.2/1 Caid Griff (4m Password-Savane Griff)  handled by Eric Raffin, for trainer Sebastian Guarato and breeder/owner Ecurie Griff. Third was the Matthieu Abrivard teamed, 9.6/1 odds, Caduceus des Baux (4g Mark Speed-Festina des Baux) with fourth to 1.6/1 favorite Tessy d’Ete (4f Ganymede-Love Me Tender) for driver David Thomain, trainer Fabrice Souloy and Italy’s Scuderia Eurocolor SRL. 4/1 El Catwalk (5f Classic Photo-El Mistress Leena) was fifth for J-M Bazire, and trainer Souloy.

The winners’ dam was a five-time groupe winner and a solid third in the Prix d’Amerique :

Critérium des Jeunes 2007, Prix de l’Etoile 2007, Prix de Sélection 2008, Grand Prix de l’UET 2008 and the Critérium Continental 2008. For her career Qualita Bourbon won 21 times in 31 starts for €1,538,000 earned.

Dubois’ driving victory today adds to his legendary resume as pilot, in addition to his role as breeder/owner/stallioneer: Prix d'Amérique – two wins – High Echelon (1979), Hymour (1982) ; Critérium des Jeunes – four times – Fortuna Fant (1996), Juliano Star (2000), Mahana (2003), Qualita Bourbon (2007) ; Critérium des 3 ans – three victories – Rainbow Runner (1986), Vasquez (1990), Buvetier d'Aunou (1992) ; Critérium des 4 ans – twice – Buvetier d'Aunou (1993), Extreme Dream (1996) ; Critérium Continental – five wins – Rangone (1987), Bahama (1993), Extreme Dream (1996), Hermès du Buisson (1999), Love You (2003) ; Critérium des 5 ans – one win – High Echelon (1978) ; Prix de France – one win – Hymour (1982) ; Prix Albert Viel – five victories – Bahama (1992), Esotico Star (1995), Island Dream (1999), Juliano Star (2000), Mahana (2003) ; Prix de l'Étoile – four wins – Rainbow Runner (1988), Bahama (1993, 1994), Qualita Bourbon (2007) ; Prix de Sélection – four victories – High Echelon (1979), Buvetier d'Aunou (1993), Kaisy Dream (2002), Qualita Bourbon (2008) ; and Prix de l'Atlantique – two wins – Défi d'Aunou (1998), Ganymède (1999).

The Gr. III Prix de Bruxelles (purse €95,000, 2150 meters, 11 starters) on the Enghien card went to 1.12.3kr timed and 2/5 favorite Amiral Sacha (6m Ganymede-Nostalgique Sacha). Gabriel Gelormini teamed the winner for owner Ecurie Sidere and trainer Francois Lamare.

The 18/1 Olmo Holz (8m Uronometro-Veuve du Kras) rallied to be second for Roberto Andreghetti and trainer Vincent Martens. 4.8/1 Indigious (7m Prodigious-Indication) held third between rivals for Eric Raffin and trainer Fabrice Souloy. 8.4/1 Booster Winner (5m Love You-Quille Viretaute) was fourth for Bernard Piton and trainer Sebastian Guarato with fifth to 68.7/1 Oibambam Effe (8f Classic Photo-Etne Sec) for trainer/driver Andrea Guzzinati.

The day’s Quinte+ Prix du Palais de Chaillot (purse €68,000, 2875 meters, 18 starters) went to 1.13.6kr timed, 11.3/1 odds, Un Nuage d’Osmoz (8m Nuage Noir-l’Etoile d’Escrit) for owner/trainer/driver Emmanuele Allard.

The 11.2/1 Alienor de Godrel (6f Orlando Vici-Julietta) rallied for second for trainer/driver Franck Anne and Ecurie AB Trot. 2.8/1 favorite Artiste de Joudes (6m Prodigious-Memory de Joudes) was fourth for David Thomain and owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. 4.3/1 Alpha Saltor (6m Paris-Haufor-Glory d’Ariane) was fifth for driver Matthieu Abrivard.

Uniflosa Bella wins Trophee Vert at Royan

Sunday’s turf trotting feature was the Grand Prix Jean Maurice Bateau (purse €45,000, 3100 meters, 18 starters) at Royan, France.

The 6.3/1 Uniflosa Bella (8f Jag de Bellouet-Koctiflosa Gede) emerged victorious timed in a quick 1.15.5kr for Antoine Wiels over the marathon distance (1-15/16 miles).

Jean-Paul Marmion owns and trains the barefoot winner that was bred by Remi Boucret. 37/1 Soleil de France (10g Giant Cat-Histoire de France) held second for owner/trainer/driver P.J. Desaunette.

The 2/1 favorite Tagada Tagada (9f Meaulnes du Corta-Lambada Blue) rallied wide near the fans for third driven by Matthieu Abrivard. Two other turf trots were on the program, one each featuring apprentice and amateur teamsters. Uno Dancer, Un Charme Fou and Ulk Medoc finished fourth through sixth in the good field.

by Thomas H Hicks, for Harnesslink