Real action at Vincennes

January 11, 2016 – Today’s Quinte+ (€2 million jackpot after a weekend winner) was at Paris–Vincennes in the 2850 meter Prix de l’Aveyron (purse €65,000, 17 starters – seven through nine year old females). The 1.13.6kr winner was Vodka du Wallon (7f Onyx de Goutier-Neige des Hameaux) with J-M Bazire up for owner/trainer Jean Michel Baudouin. Vodka won his second straight at Vincennes following a New Year’s Eve victory. The 1.8/1 odds favorite this day defeated 23/1 Umala du Rib (8f Kaiser Soze-Kamala Castelets) handled by J.L.Cl. Dersoir for Ecurie Rib and trainer Joel Hallais. Third was Ulka des Champs (8f Offshore Dream-Melissa des Champs) teamed by Eric Raffin at 2.8/1 with 15/1 Vonochka and 56/1 Theresa de Cerisy fourth and fifth on the line.

The €88,000 purse Prix Christelle Zimmer (2850 meters, 12 monte tarters) went to 1.14.8kr winner Ugo On Wood (8g Nuage Noir-Madone On Wood) with Leo Abrivard up for trainer Benjamin Goetz. This 5/2 favorite now shows seven wins in his last ten outings, six of the victories in monte contests. Ugo’s career earnings increased to €283,490. 3.3/1 Vaillant Cash (7m Offshore Dream-Kara du Redon) was a close second for pilot Benjamin Rochard and trainer Yoann Letellier. Third was 9.9/1 Scylla de Corbery (10f Gazouillis-Hermine du Genet) for jockey Mlle. Alexiane Lepage.

The €70,000 purse Prix de Croissanville (2700 meters, 12 starters) was taken by Caduceus des Baux (4g Mark Speed-Festina des Baux) with Mathieu Abrivard aboard for trainer Marion Hue and owner Jack Dowie. The 15/1 winner scored in 1.15.1kr and recorded his third victory in the last ten outings. Coup Droit (4m Prodigious-Saint Leonard) was second for reinsman Robin Bakker and trainer Paul Hagoort for Stable Why Not. 3.7/1 odds Cyprien des Bordes (4m Ouragan de Celland-Perle des Bordes) landed third for the team of J.L.Cl. Dersoir, Joel Hallais and Ecurie Rib.

The Prix de Villedieu (purse €85,000, 2700 meters, nine monte starters) went to 9/10 favorite Unsert Dairpet (8g Insert Gede-Passion du Cedre) for Clement Frecelle and trainer Jean-Luc Bigeon timed in 1.14.8kr. This one record his second straight at Vincennes and now has three wins in his last eight covering 2015-2016, each in monte events. Up Julry was second for jockey Leo Abrivard with third to Vincent des Obeaux for Julien Raffestin.

Later in the program the €38,000 purse Prix d’Aubervilliers (2200 meters, 11 three year-old female starters) turned into an easy victory for 1.17.1kr timed Delinda (3f Coktail Jet-Royale de Crepon) for trainer/driver J-M Bazire and Ecurie des Charmes. The 1./1 favorite defeated Daylight Jet (3f Jag de Bellouet-Ocarina Jet) with trainer Pierre Vercruysse driving for owner Jean-Etienne Dubois. Third was Dolly Bird (3f Real de Lou-Quibble) handled by Alexandre Abrivard at 45/1 for trainer Laurent-Claude Abrivard.

Thomas H. Hicks