Grand National du Trot Final at Vincennes

December 6, 2015 – Today’s strong card included Regional Finals such as the LeTrot Open des Regions for three year-olds. The Gr. III event over 2700 meters carried a purse of €85,000 and the winner was clocked in 1.15.2kr. The winner was 2.1/1 Coeur Baroque (3g Offshore Dream-Joie Baroque) handled by Damien Bonne for trainer Thierry Raffegeau. Second was 3.3/1 Caid Griff (3m Password-Savanne Griff) for Eric Raffin, trainer Sebastien Guarato and Ecurie Griff, ahead of 18.5/1 Caduceus des Baux (3g Mark Speed-Festira des Baux) and Mathieu Abrivard.

The Gr. II Prix Philippe du Rozier (Gr. II monte, purse €120,000, 2175 meters, 8 starters) went to 27.3/1 Be Mine de Houelle (4f Scipion du Goutier-Olitade Kefrauso) trained by Franck Leblanc and ridden today by Mlle. M. Bacsi. 2/1 Best of Jets (4m Magnificent Rodney-Plume Jets) was second for Francois Legadeuc and trainer/owner Jean-Michel Baudouin. 5.1/1 Blooma d’Heripre (4f Rolling d’Heripre-Quenta For Favor) was third for Damien Bonne. Bolero Love led for much of contest before being a late disqualification. The fractions were quick (1.08.5kr at 1500; 1.09.9kr at 1000; 1.11.9kr at 500; 1.12kr finish).

The LeTrot Open des Regions four year-olds (Gr. III purse €85,000, 2850 meters, 14 starters) went to the 1.14.9kr winner Big Boss (4g Xaar-Le Balafre) at 9.9/1 odds for Mathieu Abrivard and trainer/owner Herve Chauve-Laffey. 51/1 Bar d’Or (4g Orlando Vici-Star du Donjon) was second with Brindor (4g Mage de la Merite-Houba des Etangs) third for Frankc Nivard overcoming a 25 meter penalty as did fourth finishing Barry Felin. Fractions in this test follow (1.15kr at 1500; 1.12.9kr at 1000; 1.14.4kr at 500).

Ullster Perrine (7m Tenor de Baune-Nana Perrine) won today’s featured €150,000 purse Masters Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf over 2850 meters distance handicap (plus 15 meters for winners over €400,000 lifetime). This race was the Quinte+ (jackpot €3.85 million) of the day. The 2.8/1 favorite was driven by Franck Nivard for trainer J-M Baudouin and timed in 1.12.8kr in the narrow verdict over 5.3/1 Uniflosa Bella (7f Jag de Bellouet-Koctiflosa Gede) and Eric Raffin for trainer J-P Marmion. 12/1 Tornado Bello (8m Jag de Bellouet-Enfilade), starting with a 25 meter penalty, was third for Pierre Levesque and trainer Mike Lenders (dam Enfilade produced double Prix d’Amerique winner Offshore Dream). The fractions were quick from the start (1.11.6kr at 1500; 1.11.7kr at 1000, 1.12.8kr at 500). Original favorite Anna Mix, second in the first “B” showing an impressive effort, was scratched by judges after refusing the start twice, as he has done previously.

The Prix de L’Eure (purse €54,000, 2700 meters, 18 European starters) went to the decisive rallying 7.2/1 Tell Me No Lies (6g Offshore Dream-B.Glorious) driven by J-M Bazire for Fabrice Souloy trainer for KLV Holding AB. Orjan Kihlstrom teamed 3.3/1 Olivier Kronos (7g Varenne-Glide About) home second for trainer Ulf Stenstomer with 8.5/1 Ustov (7g Niky-Oh Manon) third for David Thomain for trainer J-P Thomain. The winner was clocked in 1.13.7kr off even fractions (1.13.6 kr at 1500 meters to go; 1.13.7kr at 1000; 1.14.2kr at 500 mark).

The LeTrot Open des Regions for five year-olds (purse €85,000, Gr. III over 2850 meters, 14 starters) went to 3.9/1 Anzi des Liards (5g Look de Star-Navaicaa du Sud) for driver Romain Derieux and trainer/owner David Bekaert. Favorite at 4/5 was second finishing Alinea (5g Baccarat du Pont-Pavive) for trainer/driver Damien Bonne while 16/1 Alamo du Goutier (5g Quido du Goutier-Opa de Tourelle) was third. The winner was timed in 1.14.3kr with a strong finish off slow fractions (1.16.7kr at 1500 and 1000 meters to go posts; 1.15.9kr at 500).

Thomas H. Hicks