Jean Balthazar Captures Prix Camille Blaisot

Harness racing action at Vincennes on Prix D’Amerique day is about much more than just those carrying a sulky, with 12 runners contesting the Gr. II €120,000 Prix Camille Blaisot.

Jean Balthazar (Alto de Viette), who was sent off as the 1.1/1 odds favourite, proved that favouritism with a 1.10.6kr timed victory off the front end with fast fractions in the 2175m saddled feature.

Benjamin Rochard was the winning jockey for trainer Pascal Castel as their charge won for the second time in his last seven starts and advanced his career bankroll to 494,720€.

Relieved and happy, Pascal Castel, his trainer, confided to the press post race;

“It’s a very great moment, in addition to a Prix d’Amérique day. It’s only once a year. It’s a race that we had to win. My horse was good and I had prepared him for this engagement. I was not wrong. It’s a good job,”he said.

His jockey Rochard had the following to say:

“We had to fight all the way to the post, but he behaved very well and responded well to my requests. We did not hesitate to go ahead because the last ones to beat us were not there. It’s in good shape at the moment. Hopefully it lasts!”

Joy For Us (Texas Charm) rallied late for second at 31/1 with Guillaume Martin up for trainer Julien Dubois. Third was 4.8/1 Jewell Candle FAC (Prodigious) for trainer/jockey Damien Bonne. June (Booster Winner) at 7/1, J’Adoire (Goetmals Wood) at 43.1, Jodie du Vivier (Orlando Vici) and Jelyson (Timoko) completed the top seven.

Click here to watch the replay.

This contest served as the preview to the Prix d’Amerique and the activity entertained a great crowd with the France Republicaine on track. The Amerique’s stable cheering sections and celebratory parade to the post brought the crowd alive. Alive all day it was!!!

Later on the Amerique card the 90,000€ Gr. III Prix RMC/Jean Rene Gougeon saw the 1.7/1 Ibiki de Houelle (Love You) score in 1.10.4kr off quick early fractions.  Eric Raffin teamed the 10-time winner in 32 starts for earnings of 363,860€. Franck Leblanc trains the winner that he bred and is owned by Daniel Augereau.

Finishing second was 8.1/1 odds Have A Dream (Royal Dream) for pilot Matthieu Abrivard, owner JPB Horses and trainer by Abrivard. Jean Philippe Dubois was the breeder. Home third was 55/1 Ghostbuster (Niky) reined by Gabriele Gelormini for trainer H.E. Bondo. Cherry Top (Igor Font) was fourth at 80/1 odds for reinsman Franck Nivard and trainer Vitale Ciotola.

The Gr. III 90,000€ Prix WTW Hipcover Assurances Hippiques was won by the 1.9/1 odds Isla Jet (Bold Eagle) timed in a quick 1.10.3kr, reined by Eric Raffin for Ecurie Hunter Valley, trainer Tomas Malmqvist and breeder Jean Etienne Dubois.

The winner has earned 374,228€ with 13  victories in 32 outings. Clarissa (Exploy Caf) was a close second at 6.8/1 odds with trainer Alessandro Gocciadoro and Scuderia Natalino 96 Sas, Third at 16/1 odds was Canadian Kronos (Trixton) with Matthieu Abrivard driving for trainer H.E. Bondo and Scuderia R.B. Team Srl.

Be well Amerique until 2025.

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink