French horses battle in 310,000€ worth of groupe racing

Three groupe level tests graced the harness racing stage at Paris-Vincennes this day beginning with the Prix Ozo (Gr. II, purse 120,000€, 2175 meters for three year old females).

Here the Benjamin Rochard teamed and William Bigeon trained Kana de Beylev (3f Express Jet-Dina de Beylev) scored in 1.12.0kr at 2.2/1 odds to secure her fifth career victory and advance her life earnings to 282,100€.  She took the lead in the first turn and it was essentially over. Keserasera (3f Uniclove-Tonnette) was second at 4.9/1 with Francois Lagadeac driving for trainer Rudolphe Lagadeuc and owner Franck La Barre. The 12/1 Kyrielle (3f Enino du Pommereux=Vahine du Goutier) ended third for owner/trainer/driver William Bigeon.

The Gr. II Prix Kalmin (purse 120,000€, 2175 meters for three year old males) saw William Bigeon win again as driver/trainer this time with 9/1 odds King Opera (3m Ready Cash-Unlimited Jet) for legendary owner Joel Seche. This was his fifth career victory now for 154,950€ earned. Ecurie Hunter Valley bred King Opera. Race time was 1.12.1kr off even fractions.

Second was the 9/10 favorite Koctel du Dain (3m Boccador de Simm-Ophelie) that Philippe Allaire owns and trains and David Thomain drove. Krack Time Atout (3m Face Time Bourbon-Topaze d’Atouit) was third at 14/1 odds for Alexandre Abrivard, trainer Sebastian Guarato and owner Philippe Barbe. Kanada (3m Earl Simon-Avila) was fourth at 7.3/1 for Theo Duvaldestin and 12/1 Ksar (3m Follow You-Tes Amours) rallied from far back to end fifth for Matthieu Abrivard. Kaiser River (3m Bold Eagle) was sixth at 4.4/1 with Benjamin Rochard aboard.

The last groupe test this day was Gr. III Prix Serpentis (monte, purse 70,000€, 2700 meters for three-year olds). The 17/1 odds outsider Kara Dream (3f Unbridled Charm-Volga Vici) secured this 1.15.1kr timed victory with Eric Raffin driving for breeder/owner/trainer Etienne Dubois.

This was her first victory in FR now for 58,550€ earned. Kapaula de L’Epine (3f Discours Joyeux) landed second with Mathieu Mottier at the lines for owner/trainer J.G. Van Eeckaute and third was 3.6/1 Karlita (3f Fabulous Wood-Aventura) with Alexandre Abrivard driving for the William Bigeon/Joel Seche team. Ecurie Hunter Vallley bred this one.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink