144-1 longshot wins Gr. II test at Bordeaux

The 144/1 odds Darshan (10g Jag de Bellouet-Tinou Madrik) rallied down the middle of the stretch for harness racing driver Antoine De Vaugiraud to win the Gr. III Grand Prix SC Immobilier Equestre at the Hippodrome Bordeaux le Bouscat in France on May 2.

The 64,000€ purse event for 6–10-year-olds was raced over 2650 meters distance handicap. Patrick Terry trains the now 11-time winner for Ecurie Watch Buy Win with Darshan advancing his earnings to 219,800€. Race time was 1.14.0kr.

Fakir Merite (6m Vaukir) was second for Franck Marty at 10/1 odds and overcoming a 25-meter handicap. The 14/1 Falco des Rochers (8g Queron de Jay) was third for trainer/driver Axel Lenoir. Two other double-digit longshots were fourth and fifth. Interestingly the winner was 0-0-0 in his last 10 outings with four dq’s with a last victory in September 2021.

The same day at Paris-Vincennes saw Kocktail Love (3m Love You-Chipk de Beylev) win the Prix Libussa for three-year-olds, raced over 2175 meters for a 62,000€ purse. David Thomain reined the winner for owner Yann Barberot and trainer Philippe Allaire. Race time was 1.13.5kr with Kanto Avis (3m Ready Cash-Ter Avis) second for Alexandre Abrivard.

On Saturday at Vincennes there will be three groupe contests, two of them part of the Big 5 PMU.Fr events. Throughout Europe there will be several major races including the Finlandia AJO and the Paralympiatravet Final.

LeTrot files/photo

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink