Belina Josselyn victorious in Paris
by Thomas Hedlund
Jean-Michel Bazire-trained Belina Josselyn (Love You) was served a perfect trip when the Prix Chambon P. was held at Vincennes racetrack in Paris, France, on Saturday afternoon.
Belina Josselyn opened quickly, but had no chance to challenge for the lead since Up And Quick and Amiral Sacha both fought for the front position.
Eventually, Bazire found the lead, but that was just temporary after a 5/8th of a mile into the 1.8-mile long race.
Belina Josselyn is undoubtedly one of the best mares in the world (which can be a provocative statement when Hannelore Hanover is on the other side of the Atlantic ocean) and in the home stretch, when Jean-Michel Bazire found enough space to use his mare’s speed, Belina Josselyn easily passed leader Amiral Sacha and held attacking Bird Parker a length behind.
A mile rate 1:56.2 is a strong note over 2,850 meters and Belina Josselyn earned $64,000.
Prix d’Amérique winner back on winning path
Timo Nurmos-trained Readly Express (Ready Cash) made his first appearance since he won Prix d’Amérique in Paris in January on Saturday afternoon.
In the $160,000 Jämtlands Stora Pris at Östersund racetrack, the 6-year-old son of Ready Cash showed that he still is the king of European trotting. Timo Nurmos chose to decline the invitation for the Elitlopp two weeks ago and now he’s aiming for another meeting in Paris next winter. The victory in Jämtlands Stora Pris was very impressive. From position outside leader Volstead, driver Jorma Kontio had everything under control with already a half mile to go in the 1.3 mile race.
Readly Express came home in an incredible time of 1:52.3 and it’s not impossible that the Prix d’Amérique winner shows up in Boden (northern Sweden) next Saturday in the $210,000 Norrbottens Stora Pris. There he would face Elitloppet runner up Propulsion over 1.3 miles.
Diamanten, trained by Stig H Johansson and driven by Erik Adielsson, finished strongly from fourth over to second place behind the superior winner. Third place went to Italian Trendy O.K. and Alessandro Gocciadoro.
Ringostarr Treb’s encore
Elitloppet winner Ringostarr Treb is scheduled to show up in Finland next Saturday in the $235,000 Kymi Grand Prix. The son of Classic Photo draw number 1 behind the gate and French gelding Aubrion du Gers will most certainly be considered the toughest opponent to the Jerry Riordan trained horse.
Kymi Grand Prix — Kouvola Finland (1.3 miles)
Horse – Trainer
1. Ringostarr Treb – Jerry Riordan
2. Midnight Hour – Ossi Nurmonen
3. T.Rex – Tapio Mäki-Tulokas
4. Dijon – Romain Derieux
5. Aubrion du Gers – Jean-Michel Bazire
6. Venosc de Minel – Séverine Raimond
7. Next Direction – Timo Hulkkonen
8. Bret Boko – Markku Nieminen
9. Edward Ale – Tiina Koskinen
10. Spitcam Jubb – Micael Broberg
