It was a ‘Magic’ day for top performances at Vincennes
by Thomas Hedlund
Vincennes’ race card on Saturday (Aug. 30) included qualification races ahead of the three $325,000 Criteriums that will take place in Paris on Sept. 13 and we are beginning to recognize most of the trotters racing in these kind of events by now.
The 3-year-old fillies battled in the $140,000 Criterium des Pouliches and Philippe Allaire’s Magic Night (Helgaffel) was too hard to beat as she reached the front position early into the race.
Paul-Philippe Ploquin steered Allaire’s horse and he held an even pace before favorite Mille Etoiles connected on her outside with a half mile to go. But Magic Night still held her pace and refused to capitulate to the outside favorite.
Magic Night won in a mile rate of 1:56.4 over 1.6 miles.
The 3-year-old boys, colts only, chased glory in the $125,000 Prix Jacques de Vauloge and Marc Sassier’s Magic Love (Ready Cash), paired with Benjamin Rochard, held on all the way in front, even though he looked way too eager throughout the race.
Magic Love won in a mile rate of 1:58.1 over 1.6 miles.
In the $125,000 Prix Jockey for 5-year-olds, Mathieu Mottier trained Keep Going (Follow You) proved strongest and it’s clear that Mottier has succeeded in getting his top horse in the best possible condition as the big Criterium approaches.
Keep Going won in a mile rate of 1:56.3 over 1.6 miles.
Jean-Michel Bazire drove his son’s Nicolas’ Lord du Gers (Face Time Bourbon) in the $125,000 Prix Gaston Brunet for 4-year-old colts and after a ground saving trip second over, Lord du Gers disarmed favorite Lancier du Goutier just before the wire.
Lord du Gers won in a mile rate of 1:55.4 over 1.6 miles.
A first over trip didn’t bother heavy favorite Liza Josselyn (Ready Cash) in the $125,000 Prix G. De Wazieres for 4-year-old mares. Jean-Michel Bazire trusted his horse when he approached leader London in the last turn and as they headed for home, Liza Josselyn got the advantage and held on to win in a mile rate of 1:56 over 1.6 miles.
All Criterium races are scheduled at Vincennes on Saturday (Sept. 13).
FRANCESCO ZET BESTS BORUPS VICTORY AGAIN IN SUNDSVALL OPEN TROT
Bergsåker racetrack in Sundsvall, Sweden, played host to the $200,000 Sundsvall Open Trot on Saturday (Aug. 30) afternoon and Daniel Wäjersten’s Borups Victory (Googoo Gaagaa) was on the hunt for revenge after last year’s battle, where Borups Victory saw outside trotter Francesco Zet (Father Patrick) as the stronger horse.
The battle, the excitement before Saturday’s event, included the same two horses and Borups Victory drew the better post, compared to his toughest opponent Francesco Zet.
Borups Victory’s stablemate Mellby Jinx flew to the lead and when field was formed, Francesco Zet had to race first over, just as he did last year, with Borups Victory on his back.
Francesco Zet is quite a bit away from top shape, but was still the best horse in Sundsvall.
Last year he won in a mile rate of 1:51.3 over 1.3 miles, a world record performance. This time, 1:55 was enough to win.
Francesco Zet claimed his 30th win in his 39th start and his bank account is filled with $2,632,325.
