Criterium Finals at Vincennes

The Criterium Finals for the four, three and five tear olds took place this day at Paris-Vincennes before a huge. Amerique-like, crowd that filled the stands and tarmac all afternoon.

In the Criterium des 4 Ans (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 17 starters over 2850 meters voltstart) the 23/1 odds outsider Josh Power (4m Offshore Dream-Balginette) scored in 1.12.2kr for trainer/driver Sebastien Ernault, owner Ecurie BG Trot and breeder J.P. Mary. This was the winner’s third career win in 29 starts now for 349,330€ earned. Ernault was in the limelight years ago in the Amerique with Oyonnax in 2010 that ended a Pierre Levesque three in a row streak from 2007-2009 as trainer of Meaulnes du Corta and Offshore Dream, this one that Levesque drove.

Just A Gigolo (4m Boccador de Simm-Blue Valentine) was second at 2.4/1 drivien by Franck Nivard for trainer/owner/breeder Philippe Allaire. Just Love You (4f Love You-Just In Love) was third for Alexandre Abrivard driving for trainer L.C. Abrivard and breeder/owner Michele Bliard and off at 5.6/1 odds. Justin Bold (4m Bold Eagle) was fourth at 11/1 with J.F. Senet aboard.

The Criterium des 3 Ans (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 15 starters, 2,700 meters voltstart) saw 48/1 Krack Time Atout (3m Face Time Bourbon-Topaze d’Atout) rally for the 1.12.5kr clocked victory. Paul Philippe Ploquin teamed the Sebastien Guarato trainee that Philippe Barbe owns. He recored career victory four in 18 starts now for 291,600€ earned.

King Opera (3m Ready Cash-Unliited Jet) held second at 8/1 with Eric Raffin driving for trainer William Bigeon and owner Joel Seche. The 5/10 favorite Koctel de Dain (3m Boccador de Simm-Ophelie) was third for driver David Thomain and owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. The 13/1 Kanada (3m Earl Simon) and 9/1 Ksar (3m Follow You) completed the top five.

In the Criterium des 5 Ans (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 13 starters racing 3,000 meters voltstart) the 5/10 favorite Idao de Tillard (5m Severino-America de Tillard) was a narrow winner timed in 1.11.7kr for driver Clement Duvaldestin, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and owner Cyril Sevestre. Idao enjoyed a pocket journey and just did enough to win under heavy urging. He now has 24 career wins in 34 starts for 1,258,430€ earned.

The 97/1 odds Inmarosa (5f Amiral Sacha-Varkava) was second for driver Leo Abrivard and trainer L.C. Abrivard with 5.5/1 It’s A Dollarmaker (5m Saxo de Vandel-Salt Lake City) home third for Eric Raffin and trainer Guarato. Ideal Ligneries (5m Repeat Love) was fourth at 23/1 and 26/1 Ibiki de Houelle (5m Love You) ended fifth. Impressionist finished seventh, Inoubliable ninth and Izoard Vedaquais was a miscue dq.

LeTrot, Vincennes files/photos – harness trots

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink