Criterium qualifiers on stage at Vincennes

There were three more important Criterium qualifying harness racing events on the track today in Paris for three- and four-year-olds.

The Criterium 4 Ans Q4 /Prix Gaston Brunet (Gr. II, purse 120,000€, 2700 meters Volt start, 11 four-year-old males) saw 21/1 odds upsetter Kataki de Wallis (4m Charly du Noyer-Valley Charm-Lets Go Along) score impressively timed in 1.12.5kr with Gabriele Gelormini aboard.

The now seven-time winner in 24 starts for 213,440€ is owned by Tramontom SRL and trained by Alain Chavatte.

Koctel du Dain (4m Boccador de Simm-Ophelie-First de Retz) was second as the 1.7/1 odds favorite that David Thomain teamed for trainer/owner Philippe Allaire. Kaporal des Forges (4m Face Time Bourbon-Brune des Forges) landed third at 42/1 for driver Anthony Barrier, trainer Sebastien Guarato and owner Ecurie Louis d’Aur. Kanto Avis (4m Ready Cash) at 19/1 and 10/1 Khal’s Fella (4m Ready Cash) completed the top five finishers.

To watch the race replay, click here.

In the Criterium 3 Ans Q4 /Prix J. de Vauloge (Gr. II, purse 120,000€, 2700 meters voltstart, 10 three-year-old male starters) the fast-closing 3.8/1 odds Loulou de Mye (3m Clif du Pommereux-Arista de Mye) scored in 1.13.0kr. Matthieu Abriavrd piloted the Romain Charles Larue trainee for Ecurie du Mont Joly.

Loulou de Mye won for the fourth time in 15 starts now for 226,160€ earned. She held off 9/10 odds favorite Lombok Jiel (3m Enino du Pommereux-Suraheya Jiel) that Ecurie Luck bred and owns, and P-Y Verva reined for trainer J.L. Dersoir.

Two sons of Ready Cash were third and fourth those being 13/1 Light My Fire (3m Ready Cash-Reethi Rah Jet), the brother to Bold Eagle, that Franck Nivard teamed for Ecurie Hunter Valley and conditioner Sebastien Guarato; and 12/1 Lucky Jackson (3m Ready Cash-Statue Of Liberty) driven by trainer Jean Michel Bazire and owner New Blue LLC.

To watch the race replay, click here.

The Criterium 4 Ans Q3 / Prix de Wazieres (Gr. II, purse 120,000€, 2700 meters Volt start, 13 starters four-year-old females) saw 2.2/1 odds Kana de Beylev (4f Express Jet-Dina de Beylev) score by a short head timed in 1.13.5kr for her 10^th career victory in 29 starts. Her earnings advanced to 745,400€.

Benjamin Rochard reined the William Bigeon trainee for owner Joel Seche.

The 2.5/1 Kelle Beaute (4f Uniclove-Beaute Winner) was second nearly holding position to win with Alexandre Abrivard up for Ecurie Augustin-Normand and trainer L.C. Abrivard who also bred this one. Killer Queen (4f Face Time Bourbon-Famille Royale) was third at 29/1 with Eric Raffin aboard the Sebastien Guarato trainee for Ecurie du Londel. Kemia du Chene (4f Bird Parker) at 6.7/1 and Kokote (4f Reach Cash) at 11/1 odds completed the top five finishers.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Starting today’s Paris-Vincennes action the Muscle Hill son Derby Kronos took the Prix de Molay (purse 46,000€, 2100 meters autostart, 16 starters ages 5-6 years) timed in 1.11.2kr Off at 3.5/1 odds the five-year-old stallion is from Variety Wise As and is trained by H.E. Bondo for Union Perfect SRL. Eric Raffin teamed the winner that defeated 8/10 odds favorite De Gaulle Grif (5m Love You-Ryder Cup Bi) with Gabriele Gelormini aboard for trainer Alain Chavatte and Chelsea SRLS.

To watch the race replay, click here.

The Criterium (finals) events will be back on-stage September 14. They will surely be worth viewing and wagering.

Trotteur Francais, Paris-Vincennes files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink