Big crowd at Caen to watch 150,000€ Ducs de Normandie

Today’s (May 11) Caen Racecourse in France featured a packed house to watch the Prix des Ducs de Normandie (International Gr. II, 16 starters, purse 150,000€, 2450 meters volte start) that went to 6.1/1 odds Izoard Vedaquais (6m Bird Parker-Dokha Vedaquais-Prodigious) timed in 1.10.2kr.

This Philippe Allaire owned and trained trotteur was bred by Jean Pierre Guay and he now has 18 career wins in 38 starts. His life earnings advanced to 946,050€. He raced on the front for Benjamin Rochard and was game to the end as the field overcame six false starts.

The 41/1 Gaspar de Brion (9g Singalo) was second for owner/trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard, with the 8/10 odds favorite Idao de Tillard (6m Severino) third with Clement Duvaldestin aboard for Thierry Duvaldestin training and Cyril Sevestre owning. Pocket sitting Hohneck (7m Royal Dream) held fourth with no late challenge reined by Gabriele Gelormini for owner/trainer Allaire. Hokkaido Jiel (7m Brillantissime), Elvis du Vallon (10m Reve de Beylev) and Hooker Berry (7m Booster Winner) completed the top seven.

On the Caen undercard was the monte Prix Pierre Gamare – Etrier 3 Ans Q5 raced over 2450 meters volt start for a purse of 120,000€ for this Gr. II tussle. Off at 2/1 odds Little Orelie (3f Feeling Cash-Orelie de Retz) scored in 1.13.1kr. Mathieu Mottier was the winning jockey and trainer for owner/breeder Luc Vanderhagen. This was the winner’s third career victory in eight starts and she now has earnings of 164,370€.

The 5.3/1 odds Lutin des Bordes (3m Bilibili) was second for Anthony Barrier the jockey for trainer J.P. Monclin. Lexie de Banville (3f Real de Lou) was third for Adrien Lamy and owner/trainer Thomas Levesque.

In the Gr. II Prix Henri Balliere (120,000€ purse, 2450 meter volte start, 10 trotteurs) – Etrier 4 Ans Q2 the 3.7/1 odds Kelly de Banville (4f Eridan-Barteville du Rib) scored in 1.12.9kr. Paul Philippe Ploquin was the winning jockey for conditioner Stephane Bourlier and owner Yoland Fournier

Finishing second was 2.1/1 favorite Kapaula de L’epine (4f Discours Joyeux) for Adrien Lamy and J.G. Van Eeckhaute. The 49/1 odds outsider Kanthabella (4f Dollar Macker) took third for jockey Florian Desmigneux. Kelly de Banville

Finally, the Gr. III Prix Guillaume le Conquerant (purse 80,000€, International 12 starters, 2450 meters volte start, four-year-olds) saw the 8/10 odds favorite Koctel du Dain (4m Boccador de Simm-Ophelie-First de Retz) score in 1.12.1kr.

David Thomain reined the winner for trainer/owner Philippe Allaire that was bred by Regis Merlet. This was the 13^th career victory for Koctel du Dain from 22 starts now for 796,750€ earned.

Keenan de Joudes (4m Ready Cash) was second at 5.8/1 with J. Ph. Monclin aboard. Kristal Josselyn (4m Bold Eagle) was third at 34/1 with Anthony Barrier driving for Sebastien Guarato. King Opera (4m Ready Cash) was fourth for William Bigeon the trainer/driver for Joel Seche.

Caen, Trotteur Francais, Provence Courses, PMU files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink