Graded action highlights card at Vincennes

April 4, 2015 – Graded events and fast-class harness racing action graced the Saturday card at Vincennes, albeit taking a back seat to Bold Eagle’s 12^th consecutive victory.

The Quinte+ Prix d’Aubussion (€55,000, 2100 meters autostart) went to Ulster Perrine (7m Tenor de Baune – Nana Perrine) and J-M Bazire. The 3.4/1 second choice scored handily in 1.11.5kr off quick fractions for trainer J-M Baudouin to defeat Universal Rider and Mathieu Mottier with third to Sahara Fairytale the 1.8/1 favorite for Christophe Martens.

The International Monte Gr. II Prix Theophile Lallouet (€120,000, 2700 meters) went to 44/1 outsider Nene Degli Ulivi (8g Uconn Roc – Maureen Lobell) for Alexandre Abrivard and trainer Vincent Lacroix. The winner scored in 1.13.8kr off modest fractions to defeat 1.7/1 Uppercut de Manche with Anthony Barrier up and 52/1 Rapide du Digeon and Mathieu Abrivard. Roxanne Griff finished fifth after surging toward the front off the final bend.

The Prix du Treport (€85,000, 2700 meters, 13 european starters) went to fast closing Ustinof du Vivier (7g Look de Star – Melba du Vivier), the 3/2 favorite with Mathieu Abrivard up for trainer Sebastian Guarato timed in 1.12.4kr. Moving On (6f Quite Easy-Kings Blondie) was the 6/1 second place closer for Franck Nivard with Spain’s Trebol (8m Hot Blues-Sally Can Wait) third at 22/1 for Gabrielle-Angel Pou Pou.

The Gr. II Prix Paul Legueurney (€120,000, 2850 meters, 9 starters) went to the classy mare Billie de Montfort (4f Jasmin de Flore – Quismy de Montfort) with Eric Raffin up for trainer Sebastian Guarato. She scored in 1.13.9kr as the .5/1 favorite ahead of Blue Grass (4f Ready Cash-Princess Natacha at 6/1 for trainer Philippe Allaire and teamster Joann Lebourgeois. Tony LeBeller drove Bambina Majic (4f Nuage de Lait-Rive Magic) home third at 16/1.

The Gr. III Prix de Saintes (£60,000 purse, 2100 meters, 8 starters) went to 1.3/1 odds Cobra Blue (3m Fortuna Fant – Nuit Ipisee) for trainer/driver Pierre Vercruysse and owner G.E. Morin. This 1.14.1kr winner defeated Charly de Noyer (3m Ready Cash-Ornella Jet) and Coktail Meslois (3m Roc Meslois-Ocarina Mesloise).

Tom Hicks