120,000€ Prix de Croix won by Idao de Tillard

This day’s (Jan. 14) harness racing feature at Paris-Vincennes in France was the Prix de Croix (Gr. I International, purse 120,000€, 2850 meters, the SWC Five Year Olds Qualifier 4) saw the 5/10 favorite Idao de Tillard (5m Severino-America de Tillard) score narrowly for driver Clement Duvaldestin, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and owner Cyril Sevestre.

This fine young performer now has 18 career wins for 866,930. He was clocked in 1.15.3kr in the rain over a slow surface.

The 17/1 Cash Bank Bigi (5f The Bank-Settenote Club) was second for Benjamin Rochard and trainer Fabrice Souloy with third to the 12/1 Inoubliable (5f Prodigious-Dream Life) handled by Eric Raffin for Ecurie Victoria Dream and trainer Philippe Moulin.

The 33/1 Inhatra Am (5f Muscle Hill-Tamla Celeber) landed fourth with 16/1 Idylle Speed (5f Carat Williams-Prudence du Ham) finishing fifth. The dq’s included Charmant de Zack, Inmarosa and Callmethebreeze.

On the undercard was the Prix du Forez (Gr.II, purse 90,000€, 2700 meters, 7-11 year olds) where 4.6/1 Emeraude de Bais (9f Repeat Love-Haute  Tension) scored in a quick 1.13.5kr given the conditions, Franck Nivard teamed this Benjamin Goetz trainee for owner Herve Carlus. The now 15 time winner has earned 448,350€.

The even money favorite Gently de Muze (7m Perlando-Oleade Mancellerie) was secomd for Jean Michel Bazire and 24/1 Fifty Five Bond (8f Sam Bourbon-Kelly Charm) took third money for Christophe Martens.

Sunday’s Prix de Belgique (Gr. II International, purse 120,000€, 4-11 year olds, the sixth Amerique 2023 qualifier) has a 17-horse field scratched down by the non-participating Calgary Games.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink