Gr. III Prix Chateau Chinon at Vincennes

December 31, 2015 – Paris-Vincennes celebrated New Year’s Eve with a solid harness racing program led by the Gr. III Prix Chateau Chinon (purse €95,000, 2700 meters, 15 starters) and it was won by Italy’s Traders (3m Ready Cash-Graziella) with J-Ph Monclin up for trainer Philippe Allaire and Scuderia Colibri SAS. The even-money favorite scored in 1.14kr to defeat 27/1 Tiger di Poggio (3m Andover Hall-Idole di Poggio) for J-M Bazire, trainer Mlle. Stephanie Lepetit and owner J-A Saguin. Third was 5.2/1 Coeur Baroque (3g Offshore Dream-Joie Baroque) with Damien Bonne teaming for the trainer/owner team of Thierry Raffegau and J-Y Roze. Cash Hanover from Germany finished 10th and Clarck Sotho was a disqualification.

The Prix de Saint-Qwen-Dis-Toits (purse €40,000, 2700 meters, 10 monte starters) was the opener and it went to 4.1/1 Bohemian Rhapsody (4f Angus Hall-Bahama-Quito de Talonay) timed in 1.15.3kr for Camille Levesque. Thomas Levesque trains the winner for Pierre Levesque. The favored 0.5/1 odds Belebrine (4f In Love With You-Ebrine) was second for Eric Raffin and owner/trainer Yannick A. Briand. Third was 15.5/1 Belle Katie (4f Oiseau de Feux-Quelle Katie) for jockey Alexandre Abrivard.

Vodka du Wallon (6f Onyx du Goutier-Neige des Hameaux) won the Quinte+ Prix de Salvanhac (purse €64,000, 2700 meters, 18 European starters) timed in 1.13.6kr. J-M Bazire teamed this winner for owner/ytrainer J-M Baudouin. 2.6/1 Viva Lover (6f Look de Star-Kaline Love) was second for Matthieu Mottier with 35/1 Ultra des Landes (7f Baccarat du Pont-Justice d’Or) third for trainer/driver Sebastien Hardy.

The €36,000 Prix de Juvignac over 2700 meters drew 18 starters and produced a victory for 1.15.8kr timed, 4.8/1 odds, Baraka (4f Love You-Polenska) teamed by trainer Franck Nivard. Comte P de Montesson owns Baraka, a narrow surging winner. 2.6/1 Barbie de Janiero (4f Oiseau de Feux-Orie de Janeiro) was second for Eric Raffin and a length back was 4.7/1 Bartavelle du Rib (4f Diamant Gede-Medde) handled by trainer J.Cl. Dersoir for Ecurie Jeloca.

Attacus (5g Hand du Vivier-Nelocata) took the €52,000 Prix de Charroux for Eric Raffin at 2.6/1 odds. The Sebastien Guarato trainee is owned by J-M Machet and was timed in 1.13.3kr over the 2100 meter autostart course, defeating 17 rivals. 78/1 Attila d’Auvillier (5g Hermes du Buisson-Pepite de Gautiers) was second for Gabriel Gelormini ahead of 32/1 Anissio Bello (5m Orlando Vici-Melissa Bella) for owner/trainer/driver L.Cl. Abrivard.

Thomas H. Hicks