Grace du Digeon grinds it out at Vincennes

In a grueling display of harness racing trotting ability, Grace du Digeon (Seductive Fouteau) with Eric Raffin driving, was parked first-over for most of the race in capturing the 75,000€ Prix Poitou-Charentes for 7 to 10-year-olds at an extra distance of 2850m (1.77 miles) was held today (Dec. 13) at Vincennes in France.

Graal du Tresor and driver Mathieu Mottier took control of the lead after the first quarter, which was when Grace Du Digeon started up first-over. Throughout the mile Graal du Tresor led the way with Grace Du Digeon slowly inching forward on the race leader.

It was not until they were going down the long stretch that Grace du Digeon collared Graal du Tresor and passed them by, then took the lead en route to a one length triumph over Floreal with Gendreen third.

It was the 19^th career win for Grace du Digeon. The seven-year-old mare went off at odds of 5.5 to 1. The time for the race was 3’28”7 or rated at 1’12”6. She now has lifetime earnings of 436,140€.

To watch the race replay, click here.

“My mare doesn’t owe her victory to anyone,” Charles Dreux told Equidia Racing. “1’12”6 (2,875m long track) for his final kilometre reduction while sailing with his nose to the wind, which shows how good it was,” continued Dreuz. “She was quicker than usual at the start. I don’t think we had to be too far from the leading horses to hope to fight for the victory. So, Eric (Raffin) made the right choices. Right now, she’s perfect.”

With the victory driving Grace du Digeon, Eric Raffin scored his 300^th triumph of the year.

(With files from LeTROT)

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink