Four Groupe II harness racing events were on stage today (June 8) at the famed Paris-Vincennes Hippodrome in France, including top four- and five-year-olds and aged performers, each racing for a purse of 120,000€.
In the Prix Jean le Gonidec (2175 meters, 15 five-year-old starters) the 19/1 odds outsider Jamin de Brion (5m Charly du Noyer-Venusia de Joudes) rallied to a narrow score for trainer/owner/driver Matthieu Abrivard timed in 1.10.6kr.
The winner recorded his 10th career victory in 22 starts for 196,640€ earned. That’s two wins in a row in ’24 for the winner. Jack Tonic (5m Charly du Noyer-Claaa de Touchyvon) was a close second at 15/1 for Theo Duvaldestin, Haras Quatre Vents and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. Third was 9/1 Jason (5m Love You-Begum Fromentro) handled by Thomas Levesque for owner/trainer/breeder Pierre Levesque. Just A Midim Jiosco de Phyts and Just A Gigolo followed in that order.
To watch the race replay, click here.
In the classic Prix Chambon P (International, 2850 meters, nine starters ages 6-11) the former Amerique winner Hooker Berry (7m Booster Winner-Osaka Berry) raced superbly from the back and drew off to win by six for Nicolas Bazire, trainer Franck Leblanc and owner Michel Aldenise at 6.7/1 odds.
This was his 14th career victory in 65 starts for the winner of 1,680,820€. Race time was 1.11.3kr. Elvis du Vallon (10m Reve de Beylev) was second at 13/’1 for Yoann Lebourgeois and trainer Charles Cuiller. Third was 3.4/1 Hokkaido Jiel (7m Brillantissime) drive by David Thomain for trainer J.L. Dersoir. It’s a Dollarmaker (6m Saxo de Vandel) was fourth at 4.6/1 odds ahead of Erik The Eel (8m Muscle Hill) and Ganay de Banville (8m Jasmin de Flore) that finished sixth as the 1.5/1 favorite.
To watch the race replay, click here.
In the Prix Guy le Gonidec (2700 meters, 14 starters four-year-old females) the 8.5/1 odds Kelle Beaute (4f Uniclove-Beaute Winner) scored in 1.11.8kr with Alexandre Abrivard teaming the L.C. Abrivard trainee that Ecurie Augustin Normand owns.
This winner now has eight career wins in 17 starts for 173,560€ earned. She defeated 1.2/1 odds favorite Kana de Beylev (4f Express Jet) that was reined by Benjamin Rochard for trainer William Bigeon and owner Joel Seche. The 50/1 Kemoa du Chene (4f Bird Parker) took third for driver Paul Philippe Ploquin. Kakote (4f Ready Cash) and Kabaka du Guez (4f Eridan) finishing four and fifth,
To watch the race replay, click here.
The Prix Jules Thibault (2700 meters, 14 starters four-year-old males) saw 3.6/1 Krack Time Atout (4m Face Time Bourbon-Tapaze Atout-Coktail Jet) draw away for the 1.11.3kr timed victory.
Paul Philippe Ploquin drove the winner to his seventh career win in 26 starts and he advanced career earnings to 528,800€. Sebastien Guarato trained the winner for Philippe Barbe. The 1.6/1 odds favorite Koctel du Dain (4m Boccador de Simm) was second handled by David Thomain for owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. Keen de Joudes (4m Ready Cash) was third at 6.8/1 for J.Ph. Monclin followed by 48/1 Ksar (4m Follow You-Tes Amours-Goetmals Wood) reined by Matthieu Abrivard and racing with shoes.
To watch the race replay, click here.
Trotteur Francais, Paris-Vincennes files/photos
by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink