Twin 100,000€ Gr. II Monte tests at Vincennes

Today’s fine Paris-Vincennes card was highlighted by two Groupe II monte events, the first being the Prix Raoul Balliere (purse 100,000€, 2175 meters, three year olds). Here the 6/10 favorite Ici C’est Paris (3m Dollar Macker-Blue Valentine) prevailed in 1.12.4kr by a whisker for jockey David Thomain. Philippe Allaire bred, owns and trains this now 10-time career winner for 405,160€ earned.

Ideale du Chene (3f Bird Parker-Royale du Chene) was second at 5.3/1 odds for jockey P.Ph. Ploquin, trainer Julien Le Mer and breeder/owmer Claude Guedj. Third home was 3.3/1 Indigo du Foret (3m Dollar Macker-Une Pluie du Porey) handled by jockey Eric Raffin for trainer Y.A. Briand.

The sires of these top three finishers were products of trainer Philippe Allaire. Dollar Macker (8m Saxo de Vandel-Salt Lake City) won nine times for 731,810€. Bird Parker (10m Ready Cash-Belisha) was better. He won 21 times for 2,019,705€.

The Gr. II monte Prix Paul Buguet (purse 100,000€, 2850 meters for International 6-10 year olds) saw 6.8/1 odds Boss du Meleuc (10g Lucky Blue-Rafala du Meleuc) rally late for a 1.12.9kr timed score for jockey Alexandre Abrivard. The trainer/owner is Yannick Alain Briand and his charge now has 24 career wins good for 1,059,700€ in life earnings.

The 1.3/1 favorite Mindyourvalue WF (8g Hovding Lavec-Mindyourmanners) held second with Eric Raffin in the irons for trainer Robert Bergh. 11/1 Florida Sport (6f Tornado Bello-Victoria Sport) landed the third spot with Mathieu Mottier aboard.

Veteran classmasters contested the Prix de Sap (purse 58,000€, 2100 meters autostart for European 8-10 year olds) and the 5/10 favorite Tjacko Zaz (9g Crazed-Kinoiras Zaz-Angus Hall) secured victory for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire. The Kings Arms/Avesta AB owned trotter won for the ninth time in FR in 25 starts and elevated his career earnings to 321,688€. Race time was 1.11.6kr (mile rate 1:55.204) with a quick final 500 (1.096kr at the 1500 to go mark, 1.10.5kr at the 1000 and 1.12.2kr with 500 meters remaining).

The 11/1 Deus Ex Machina (8g Ricimer) was next for Herve Soinneau and 49/1 Cash Maker (9g Coktail Jet) was third.

To watch the race replay, click here. 

The Prix de Bourigny (purse 59,000€, 2100 meters autostart, European 4-5 year olds) the 7/10 favorite Gaspar de Brion (5g Singalo-Rolls de Brion) scored in 1.12kr with Matthieu Abrivard the trainer/driver. This L.D.M Abrivard owner trotter now has 10 career wins for 212,990€ earned.

He defeated 6.7/1 Howdy Partner (4m Repeat Love) and 25/1 Gina Mearas (5f Cantab Hall), with Bubble Effe (4m Nesta Effe) and Hermine Girl (4f Atlas de Joudes) completing the top five.

Also on the undercard was the Prix de Quimper (purse 59,000€, 2850 meters, European six year olds) with victory to 2/1 Marcello Wibb (6g Raja Mirchi-Astoria Amour) timed in 1.14.7kr. Christophe Martens reined this Vincent Martens trainee for Ecurie Black and White. This was his sixth win in FR and he now has life earnings of 333,857€.

The 4.1/1nFifty Five Bond (6g Sam Bourbon-Kelly Charm) was second with Jean-Michel Bazire teaming this Vincent Martens trainee. 13/1 Fiable (6f Ready Cash-Nika) took third for Yoann Lebourgeois.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink