700,000€ Prix de Cornulier monte draws 15

Sunday’s Prix de Cornulier (purse 700,000€, International monte, 2700 meters, 4-11 year olds), the world’s richest race for mounted trotteurs, has drawn a talented field of 15. Four entrants have won their most recent start (Hirondelle du Rib, Fantaise, Forida Sport, Granvaillaise Bleue) and three entrants have career earnings over one million euro (Feeling Cash, Bahia Quesnot, Bilibili).

The gallant Bilibili won the 2020 and 2019 Cornulier editions and was third in 2017 and 2018. He has also won other monte classics, the Prix L’Ile de France in 2020 and 2017 and the Prix de Calvados in 2020, 2019 and 2018. This L.C. Abrivard trainee was bred and is owned by Jean Pierre Barjon, President of Le Trot.

The full field is shown below:

On Friday at Vincennes was the Prix de Pornichet (purse 75,000€, 2700 meters for monte 8-10 year olds). The victory was earned by 1.12.2kr timed Dimo d’Occagnes (9g Timoko-Nymphe d’Occagnes) at 3.7/1 odds reined by P. Ph. Ploquin for trainer/owner Antonio Ripoll Rigo to his 16^th career score now for 346,650€ in life earnings. Deedjar du Vivier (9g Ready Cash-Sarga du Vivier) was second for Eric Raffin at 1.2/1 odds ahead of 10/1 Edition Gema (8f Prince Gede) for Gaelle Gedard.

Dreamer de Chenu (9g Timoko-Revolte de Chenu) captured the Gr. III Prix de Brest (purse 90,000€, 2850 meters distance handicap) Saturday at Vincennes timed in 1.13.1kr.

Off the 74/1 odds this Louis Baudouin piloted performer is trained by J.M. Baudouin as he recorded career victory 14 now for 384,550€ earned. The 25-meter handicapped 3.6/1 odds Duel du Gers (9g Quaker Jet) was second for trainer/driver Matthieu Abrivard and third home was 15/1 Marcello Rib (7g Raja Mirchi) for Christophe Martens.

The heavily favored 1.2/1 Cleangame was fourth, unable to overcome his 50-meter handicap albeit he was timed in 1.12.1kr.

LeTrot files/photos

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink