Bazire shocks in Angers

by Thomas Hedlund

Several of France’s top trotters clashed in Wednesday’s (Oct. 1) $110,000 Grand Prix Anjou-Maine in Angers, and it ended in a big upset courtesy of Nicolas Bazire. The 1 15/16ths mile (3,125 meters) contest featured stars such as Izoard Vedaquais, Jushua Tree, Just A Gigolo, and Ideal du Rocher, but none could stop the longshot Hymne du Gers (Bold Eagle). Sitting the pocket throughout, the ٨-year-old gelding sprinted clear in the lane to win easily for his trainer/driver Bazire. Sent off at ٢٥-١, Hymne du Gers had shown little in his previous summer and fall starts, but given a perfect trip, he capitalized to score in a mile rate of ١:٥٧.٢ for the ١ ١٥/١٦ths mile. Izoard Vedaquais, handicapped with a ٢٥-meter disadvantage, finished strongly in second.

UNTERSTEINER’S UNBEATEN STAR

A new star has emerged on the Swedish harness racing scene — and she’s only 2 years old. Johan Untersteiner’s Cruiser (Calgary Games) dazzled Wednesday night (Oct. 1) at Jägersro, capturing the $110,000 Breeders Course final for 2-year-old fillies in record-breaking style. Cruiser gave her connections a scare when she broke stride behind the gate in the score-up, but quickly settled and was back on gait well before the start. Once the wings folded, she blasted to the front without issue. Untersteiner kept the tempo high throughout, and Cruiser powered home to an easy victory in a mile rate of 1:56 (1,640 meters) — a new European record for 2-year-old fillies. She is now undefeated in four career starts.

The colt and gelding division of the $110,000 Breeders Course final went to Reagan Boko (Chelsea Boko), who impressed mightily with a gritty performance. Forced to race parked the entire way outside leader Revanche Boko, Reagan Boko still had enough in reserve to wear down his rival in the stretch and prevail in 1:58.2 for the mile.

The Paul Hagoort trainee is now two-for-two in his career, improving dramatically from his debut win at Victoria Park in the Netherlands (2:01.3 for the mile). The Jägersro victory was worth $55,000.