New Year’s Eve card at Vincennes

The January 1 feature at Paris-Vincennes was the Prix d’Angouleme (purse 59,000€, 2100 meters autostart) and 6/1 Foxtrot Sea (3m Olitro) scored in a quick 1.11.2kr for owner/trainer/driver Cedrik Megisier. He recorded his eighth lifetime win now for 203,900€ earned.

The 1.2/1 favorite Fairplay d’Urzy (3m Ready Cash) was second for trainer/driver Jean Michel Bazire and 52/1 Florida Sport (3f Tornado Bello) took third money with P.J. Pascal Lavanchy up.

On New Years Eve the featured Prix de Poitiers (purse 67,000€, 2700 meters) went to 2.1/1 favorite Colt des Essarts (7m Olitro) for Francois Lagadeauc. It was his 18^th career victory now for 381,050€ in career earnings. 18/1 Bleu Ciel and 5.3/1 Alinee followed the winner home. Race time was 1.14.4kr.

On December 31 Eric Raffin scored with First de Beauvalet to win the Prix Tarbes (purse 29,000€, 2100 meters autostart) to secure his 345^th 2019 victory, equaling the previous record in France set in 2006 by Jean Michel Bazire. Raffin was very pleased with the result.

A host of top groupe level events are on tap for the next two weeks of the Winter Meet as we march toward Amerique. It will be quite a show of competitive racing.

Jan 4

Prix Emile Riotteau Gr. II monte purse 100,000€, 2700 meters

Jan 5

Prix de Tonnac-Villeneuve Gr. II purse 100,000€, 2700 meters

Prix de Lille purse 80,000€, 2100 meters autostart

Prix du Calvados Gr. II monte purse 130,000€, 2850 meters

Jan 11

Prix de Croix Gr. II purse 100,000€, 2850 meters

Prix Maurice de Gheest Gr. II 100,000€ purse, 2700 meters

Prix du Forez Gr. III purse 80,000€, 2700 meters

Jan 12

Prix Belgique Gr. II purse 110,000€, 2850 meters

Prix Gelinotte Gr. II purse 100.000, 2700 meters

Prix de Riberac Gr. III purse 70,000, 2700 meters

Prix Djerid Gr. III monte purse 90,000€, 2700 meters

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink