€120,000 Gr. II Prix de la Republique de Bachkirie

Cobra Bleu (4m Fortuna Fant-Nuit Irisee) took Saturday’s featured Gr, II Prix de la Republique de Bachkirie (purse €120,000, 2850 meters, 12 starters) at Paris-Vincennes. The winner scored as 1.4/1 harness racing favorite, timed in 1.14.8kr over a sloppy course. Pierre Vercruysse is trainer/driver of Cobra Bleu for owner G.E. Morin. The well-bred 27/1 Calita Wood (4f Goetmals Wood-Qualita Bourbon) was a fast closing second for Bernard Piton, trainer Yves Boireau and owner Jean-Pierre Dubois. 20/1 Canari Match (4m Extreme Aunou-Ruelle d’Ostal) was third for Frederic Prat. The winner’s sire Fortuna Fant is a son of And Arifant that won the Criterium des Jeunes and Prix Paul Viel at age three.

Three year-olds contested the Prix JSS Hippodrome de Russie (purse €32,000, 2700 meters, 13 starters) and 2.6/1 Dobra Droga (3f Goetmals Wood-Oublies Moi) recorded the 1.17.7kr victory for driver Franck Nivard, trainer Fabrice Soukoy and Ecurie Hodij Coatings BV. 152/1 Desideria (3f Coktail Jet-Tentation de Star) was second for trainer/driver P-Y Verva with 1.4/1 favorite Dame Island home fourth for J-M Bazire.

Uza Josselyn (5f L’As de Viretaute-Hada) took the Quinte+ Prix CTA Commonwealth Trotting Association (purse €72,000, 2700 meters, 15 European entrants) timed in 1.13.6kr for trainer/driver J-M Bazire. 4/1 Belle Bauloise (5f Ludo de Castelle-Sweet Pearl) ended second for William Bigeon with 9/1 Easytowin home third for Franck Nivard. 45/1 Babylone Seven was fourth for Gabriele Gelormini with fifth to 150/1 Sheyla EK (5f Varenne-Camargue OM) driven by Santo Mollo and trainer Cristian Rizzo and Scuderia RM Team SRL. Today’s card and Sunday as well honored Russia and its equine industry.

The monte performers battled in the Prix de la Region Varone J (purse €88,000, 2700 meters, 12 European monte starters) with the 1.14.2kr victory to 1.4/1 favorite Tayson de Houelle (9g Insert Gede-Irina de la Frette) for Eric Raffin, trainer Franck Leblanc and Ecurie Pricing Power. 10.6/1 Art On Line (9g Rite On Line-Lass Fleur) was second with Damien Bonne driving for trainer Fabrice Souloy andTeam Art On Line AB. 7/2 Ugolin du Maine ended third for Mathieu Abrivard.

Your Highness (7m Chocolatier-La Belle Lady) took the Prix de la Region Irkoutsk (purse €95,000, 2100 meters autostart, 11 European starters) timed in a sharp 1.11.5kr as the 0.5/1 favorite over the sprinter distance. Franck Nivard was aboard for trainer Fabrice Souloy and PV Racing Stable HB. 4.2/1 Val Royal (7m Capriccio-Quarta de Rib) was second for trainer/driver J-M Bazire and Ecurie des Charmes with 18.5/1 Tropic du Hetre (9g Jasmin de Flore-Ixia de Perthuis) third for Eric Raffin.

In Sunday’s Grand Prix de France Rolling d’Heripre has been scratched in the race billed as a battle renewed between Timoko and Bold Eagle.

Thomas H. Hicks