German Trotting Derby week underway

July 24, 2015 – Derby Week is underway at Berlin-Mariendorf with today’s Vis-à-Vis Champions (€10,000 purse, 2000 meters distance handicap, nineinternational starters) the featured event.

Overcoming a 20 meter penalty, along with Abano As, the Josef Franzl trained and reined Dream Magic BE (6m Dream Vacation-Dantesca Cla) gained a good inner position shortly after the start, and circled wide in the final bend to wear down the leaders to score a narrow victory clocked in 1.13.2kr (race time 2:27.8). The winner, owned by Stall AMB, was off at 2.7/1 odds and increased his career earnings to €287,984. Daydream (7f Gigant Neo-Maydream Meter) was second at 18.2/1 for Michael Nimczyk and owner/trainer Charlotte Jung. 25/1 Man In Black (6g Lets Go-Vasterbo Bodyguard) was third for Herbert Strobl, and owner Stall Marcus.

Earlier in the card the Die Brandenburds Allemagne (€5,000 purse, 2500 meters, 10 international starters) went to 6.6/1 Venise des Lucas (6f Defi d’Aunou-Gloria Song). Heinz Wewering drove this winner to an impressive score in 1.16.2kr for trainer Henk AJ Grift and owner Jean F. Senet.

Tomorrow action continues with three Derby Filly eliminations and the Monte Derby. Sunday the card includes two Derby Open elims and the Charlie Mills Memorial. Cash Hanover and Thorsten Tietz  headline the Derby hopefuls Sunday.

Thomas H. Hicks