Three 240,000€ Groupe 1 races held at Vincennes

In the Paris-Vincennes’ featured Prix de Selection today (March 2) (Gr. I, purse 240,000€, 2200 meters distance handicap, eight starters’ ages 4-6 years) the 1/10 odds favorite Idao de Tillard (6m Severino-America de Tillard) rallied late to win for harness racing driver Clement Duvaldestin, trainer Thierry Duvaldestin and owner Cyril Sevestre.

Idao de Tillard was timed in 1.09.6kr to record his 30^th career victory in 40 starts for 2,212,430€ earned. Idao now has won the Tenor de Baune, Prix d’Amerique, Prix de France and the Selection in this Vincennes Winter Meet that ends today.

The final 500 meters were quick as the field reached the 500 to go mark in 1.10.9kr and completed the distance in 1.09.6kr.

The 14/1 odds Kana de Beylev (4f Express Jet-Dina de Beylev) was second reined by Benjamin Rochard for William Bigeon training for Joel Seche that traveled 25 meters less than the winner. Kyrielle (4f Enino du Pommereux) was third at 37/1 with William Bigeon the driver/trainer/owner and she too had a 25 meter favorable handicap. The next three finishers were Jag Stryck at 70/1, J’Aime Le Foot at 25/1 and Karlito at 15/1 odds.

Click here for the replay.

Next up for the fastest class is March 10 with the Grand Criterium de Vitesse de la Cote d’Azur that ends the Cagnes sur Mer Winter Meet. This Gr. I event goes the 1609 meters/one mile autostart distance for a 200,000€ purse.

Two groupe I monte classics helped put the cap on the Vincennes Winter Meet this day. In the monte Gr. I Prix des Centaures (purse 240,000€, 2200 meters distance handicap, 15 starters ages 4-6 years) the 3.5/1 odds Ideale du Chene (6f Bird Parker-Royale du Chene) scored in a quick 1.10.8kr with Paul Philippe Ploquin the jockey.

Julien Le Mer trains this Yvonne Guedj bred and owned mare. Ideale now has eight wins in 45 starts for 1,082,050€ earned, with 108,000€ included for today’s work.

The 3.4/1 odds Jean Balthazar (5m Alto de Viette) was second for jockey Benjamin Rochard, trainer Pascal Castel and owner Sandrine Loncke. The 2.9/1 favorite Kalif Landia (4f Un Charme Fou) was third ridden by Mathieu Mottier for A. P. Grimault, this one racing 25 meters shorter than the programed distance. Completing the top five were 8.1/1 odds Ina du Rib (6f Uhlan du Val) from the Joel Hallais/Ecurie Rib barn and ridden by J.L.Cl. Dersoir and 38/1 Kimbo Barry (4m Un Amour d’Haufor) that Anthony Barrier handled for C.A. Mary.

Later on the program Edition Gema (10f Prince Gede-Jaflosa Gede) rallied in the lane with Guillaume Martin her jockey to win the monte Gr. I Prix Henri Desmontils (purse 240,000€, distance 3000 meters, 11 starters ages 4-11 years) timed in 1.13.4kr.

Marc Sassier trains and owns this mare that was bred by Marie Annick Sassier. Edition now has 17 career wins in 97 starts for 661,205€ earned. She was off at 3.7/1 odds and defeated 14/1 Horace du Goutier (7m Ready Cash-Uniflosa Daidou) with Paul Philippe Ploquin in the irons for Sebastien Guarato training for Ecurie Saint Martin.

The 2.4/1 favorite Granvillaise Bleu (8f Jag de Bellouet-Lady de Brevol) was third with Camille Levesque in the irons for trainer Pierre Levesque and owner Michel Gallier. Grace du Digeon, Hirondelle du Rib, Ineo des Rioults and Gold Voice completed the top seven to the line.

Paris-Vincennes, Trotteur Francais files/photos-harness trots

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink