Longshot takes 200,000€ Prix de L’Ile de France

The 12/1 odds Freeman de Houelle (7m Vigove-Rafina de Houelle) took the Gr. I monte Prix de L’Ile de France (purse 200,000€, 2175 meters, International 4-11 year olds) this day at Paris-Vincennes.

Eric Raffin was in the irons for breeder/trainer Franck Leblanc and owner Stephane Gohier as Freeman won for the 11^th time in his career to increase earnings to 632,180€.

The even-money favorite Granvillaise (6f Jag de Bellouet-Lady de Brevol) was a fast-closing second for jockey Camille Levesque, trainer Pierre Levesque and breeder/owner Michel Galier. Veteran Bahia Quesnot (11f Scipion du Goutier-Queen Ines) was third at 11/1 odds for jockey Matthieu Abrivard and trainer Junior Guelpa. Vaprio (8m Adrian Chip) and Florida Sport (7f Tornado Bello) completed the top five.

Race time was a quick 1.10.3kr off speedy fractions (1.06.7kr at the 1500 meters to go mark; 1.08kr at the 1000; 1.10kr with 500 remaining).

On the same card was the Gr. III Prix Leopold Verroken (purse 60,000€, 2100 meters autostart, three-year-old open) with victory to 2.7/1 odds Juninho Dry (3m Carat Williams-Delicatessan) with Paul Philippe Ploquin the pilot for trainer Sebastien Guarato. Ecurie Dry owns this four-time career winner for 97,120€ earned.

The 5.6/1 Jakartas des Pres (3m Scipion du Goutier-Union des Pres) landed second for Franck Nivard and 37/1 Joyeux Meslois (3m Viking de Val) was third with Francois Lagadeuc at the lines. Race time by the winner was 1.13.8kr.

Georgica Gede (6f Atlas de Joudes-Quaroline Gede), off at 6.3/1, took the Gr. III monte Prix Indienne (purse 90,000€, 2200 meters, European 5-6 year olds) timed in 1.12.1kr for jockey Mathieu Mottier. Georgica is trained by owner Alexandre Pillon and she now sports eight career wins for 220,130€ earned.

The 1.3/1 Galipette Pierji (6f Tucson) was second with jockey Matilde Herleksplass up for trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. She had four straights wins entering this race. 22/1 Gnai des Epines (6g Un Mec d’Heripre) was a distant third for Alexandre Abrivard.

On Sunday February 13 will be the Gr. I Prix de France (400,000€ purse, 2100 meters autostart). Called the Speed Race this endeavor now has 33 horses engaged. The final draw will occur Thursday.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink