900,000€ Criterium Finals held at Paris Vincennes

The three Gr. I Criterium Finals took place today (Sept. 18) at Paris-Vincennes before a large audience. The 5Ans Criterium began the action (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 3000 meters for five year olds volt start).

The 1.12.4kr timed winner was 68/1 Hussard du Landret (5m Bird Parker-Anakine du Bellay) with owner/trainer Benoit Robin at the lines. This was his seventh career victory now for 552,800€ earned, 135,000€ added today to the bankroll.

The 2/1 favorite Hohneck (5m Royal Dream-Carenca) was a narrowly beaten rallying second for driver Francois Lagadeuc and owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. Happy Valley (5f Royal Dream-Mysterious Valley) rallied to be third at 6.3/1 odds for breeder/driver Jean Philippe Dubois, trainer Philippe Moulin and owner Ecurie Victoria Dreams.

In the 3Ans Criterium (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 2700 meters voltstart for three year olds)  the 1.1/1 odds favorite Just A Gigolo prevailed for driver Franck Nivard and breeder/owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. Timed in 1.13.1kr the winner recorded his 12^th career win now for 669,450€ earned. He raced with shoes on.

Jaguar Griff (3m Love You-Roxane Griff) was second at 3.9/1 with Romain Hue aboard for trainer Sebastien Guarato and breeder/owner Ecurie Griff. We all remember the winner’s dam for a courageous top-level career. Jaguar Wit (3m Eridan-Vouaga) took third at 26/1 for Tony LeBeller, trainer Guarato and owner Sebastien Dewulf.

The 4Ans Criterium (Gr. I, purse 300,000€, 2850 meters voltstart for four year olds) saw 4.8/1 Italiano Vero (4m Ready Cash-Baraka d’Henlou) score in 1.13.5kr with David Thomain at the lines for owner/trainer Philippe Allaire. Gildo Carnesseca bred this winner that now has 12 career wins for 793,150€ earned.

The 73/1 outside Inmarosa (4f Amiral Sacha-Varkava) was second for reinsman Leo Abrivard, owner Jacques Cottel and trainer L.C. Abriavrd. Third home was 3.6/1 Izoard Vedaquais (4m Bird Parker-Dokha Vedaquaise) with Eric Raffin aboard for owner/trainer Allaire. J.P Guay bred this one. Instrumentaliste (4m Ready Cash) was fourth for Gabriele Gelormini and trainer Guarato.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink