Champion Group 1 stakes day at Vincennes

An exceptional Journee des Champions card at Vincennes included five Gr. I contests, two of which went to Vivid Wise As in record time of 1.09.1kr over 2100 meters autostart and Happy And Lucky in the monte Prix de Normandie in 1.12.3kr over 3000 meters. The other Gr. I races are described below and were equally important.

The Prix d’Essai (Gr. I monte for three year olds, purse 200,000€, 2700 meters) saw 27/1 Jelyson (3m Timoko-Delizia d’Odyssee) score in 1.14.9kr for jockey Yoann Lebourgeois and trainer Alexandre Pillon.

This win advanced his career earnings to 158,100€ from only two career victories. He defeated 6.8/1 Joyner Sport by a nose that one with Alexandre Abrivard in the irons, with Dorgos de Guez a length back

The Prix President Republique (Gr. I monte for four year olds, purse 240,000€, 2850 meters, 13 starters) showcased an impressive victory for Intuition (4f Brillantissime-Combattante) with Adrien Lamy the jockey for trainer Tomas Malmqvist and owner Ecurie du Londel.

This Louis Baudron bred mare now has earnings of 219,750€ from four career wins and she burst clear of the competition off the final bend. She was off at 21/1 odds. Ines des Roults at 4.4/1 and Icare des Valois at 9/1 were distant second and third to the winner that was clocked in 1.12.8kr. There were eight mares among the 13 starters.

The Prix Albert Viel (Gr. I, three year olds, purse 200,000€, 2700 meters, open with 14 starts of which nine were males) saw the 1.4/1 favorite Just A Gigolo (3m Boccador de Simm-Blue Valentine) score in 1.13.2kr for driver David Thomain and breeder/owner/trainer Philippe Allaire.

The winner advanced his career earnings to 409,950€ from nine victories. The 50/1 Just For Lova was second ahead of 14/1 Juninho Dry. The well-regarded filly Jazzy Perrine advanced from fifth at the midway point to second off the final bend before fading in deep stretch.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink