Women drivers help light Olympic torch in France

The Prix de Milan (Gr. III, purse 90,000€, 2150 meters autostart, 16 European four-year-olds) highlighted the Saturday card (July 20) at Enghien-Soisy in France and it went to rallying 6.2/1 Edgar Saba (4g Exploit Caf-Saba del Ronco) reined by Gabriele Gelormini for Valporino SRL and trainer H.E. Bondo.

This was his third win in nine starts in France and advanced his career earnings to 163,814€.  Second was 47/1 odds Knockonwood (4m Ready Cash-Don’t Explain-Prodigious) for Yoann Lebourgeois driving for trainer R.C. Larue and Ecurie de Windcut. The 3.2/1 Keep Going (4m Follow You-Discovery Bond) landed third with trainer Mathieu Mottier aboard for Joze Davet that owns this one bred by Jean Philippe Dubois.

King Opera (4m Ready Cash-Unlimited Jet) was fourth as the 2.8/1 favorite for trainer/driver William Bigeon and owner Joel Seche, ahead of 8.6/1 Kanto Avis (4m Ready Cash-Ter Avis) with Benjamin Rochard aboard. Race time was 1.11.8kr.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Last night at Enghien-Soisy the Olympic Torch was there to start the Paris Olympic Games. Women drivers Camille Levesque and Brigitte Deydier were on hand representing the equine industry and holding the flame.

The Pris Henri Cravoisier (Gr. III, purse 90,000€, 1609 meters autostart, three-year-old open) today at Enghien-Soisy went to front stepping 4.1/1 Lovino Bello (3m Village Mystic-Louvina Bella) reined by Eric Raffin for trainer Jocelyn Robert.

This Sandrine Robert owned colt was reined by Eric Raffin to a quick timed six length score with the time 1.09.7kr (mile rate 1:52.1). The winner now has earned 255,895€ from five career wins in 12 starts. Lovino went he first 1000 meters timed in 1.07.4kr.

Far West Bi (3m Muscle Hill-Savannah Bi) was second as the 1.7/1 odds favorite for driver Roberto Vecchione and trainer Holger K. Ehlert. Third was 12/1 Lady (3f Dragon des Racques) with Clement Duvaldestin up for Jacques Cottel, owner/breeder, and Thierry Duvaldestin the trainer. Louisiane de Bono (3f Ready Cash) and Luna Nova Gwen (3f Booster Winner) completed the top five.

To watch the race replay, click here.

On July 19 at Cabourg was held the Grand Prix de la Ville de Cabourg (purse 49,000€, 2750 meters, 15 European starters aged 5-11) and the 8/10 odds favorite Have Seven (7g Prince d’Espace-Vadapolina) scored with Yoann Lebourgeois driving the Jean Michel Bazire trainee for owner Yannick Desmet.

The winner now sports 10 career wins in 48 starts for 284,150€ earned. Follow Me Flash (9g Rombaldi) took second at 39/1 with Etienne leFranc the driver/trainer/owner. Fee du Vernay (9f Tresor Wic) was third at 7.9/1 for David Thomain. Time was not reported.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Earlier in the week Bazire was on stage as trainer/driver of the Trophee Vert winner.

The Trophee Vert was the Grand Prix Jean Maurice Reteau at Royan Atlantique. 14 horses raced 3100 meters distance handicap for a 50,000€ purse. The 1.5/1 odds favorite Hymne du Gers (7g Bold Eagle-Unanime Quality-Offshore Dream) scored in 1.16.0kr on the turf. Jean Michel Bazire teamed his trainee for Ecurie J.M. Rancoule as he won the 12^th time in 32 starts for 342,060€ earned.

Helios Somolli (7g Coktail Jet) was second at 23/1 for Mathias Dudouit and 17/1 Iron Jet (6m Charly du Noyer) was third for Tom Compas.

To watch the race replay, click here.

Le Trot, Enghien-Soisy, Cabourg, Royan Atlantique files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink