Christmas Day Group II tests at Vincennes

The Christmas Day Paris-Vincennes harness racing program featured two Gr. II events beginning with the Prix Emmanuel Margouty (purse 100,000€, Gr. II for two year olds, 2175 meters) where the 1.4/1 odds Just A Gigolo (2m Bocccador de Simm-Blue Valentine) held on for a nose victory with Franck Nivard up.

His breeder/owner/trainer is Philippe Allaire and Gigolo won for the fifth time in six career starts now for 120,750€ earned. Race time was 1.14.0kr for the front stepping winner.

The 4.8/1 Joyner Sport (2m Dollar Macker) was a relentless second with David Thomain at the lines for owner/trainer Allaire. 73/1 Jag Stryck (2m Bretigny) was third for Franck Ouvrie and owner/trainer Cyrille Buhigne. On the miscue dq list were Juninho Dry and Jourdam Seven.

The Prix de Strasbourg (purse 80,000€, 2700 meters for 8-10 year olds) saw even-money choice Decoloration (8f Prince d’Espace-Maradadi Buissonay) score impressively in 1.12.8kr for Eric Raffin. The owner/trainer is J.M. Baudouin of this 17-time career winner of 465,010€.

The 41/1 Douceur du Chene (8f Quif de Villeneuve) was second for Franck Nivard and the trainer/owner team of Julien LeMer and breeder/owner Claude Guedj. 15/1 Carnaval du Vivier (9g Ni Ho Ped d’Ombree) was third for Clement Duvaldestin.

Five-year-old monte trotteurs contested the Gr. II Prix Joseph Lafosse (purse 100,000€, 2700 meters for International five year olds) and the 1.7/1 odds Granvillaise Bleue (5f Jag de Bellouet-Lady de Brevol) rallied to score in 1.13.8kr.

Mme. Camille Levesque was the jockey for trainer Pierre Levesque and breeder/owner Michel Gallier as the winner recorded her seventh career win now for 415,260€ earned.

The 9/10 favorite Gladys des Plaines (5f Opus Viervil) took second money for Mathieu Mottier, while 13/1 Gloria du Gers (5f Ready Cash) was third for Alexandre Abrivard.

LeTrot, Paris-Vincennes files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink