Ginostrabliggi reigns supreme in Orsi Mangelli
by Thomas Hedlund
Philippe Allaire’s brilliant colt Ginostrabliggi (Muscle Hill) dominated both his elimination and the $277,000 final of the Gran Premio Orsi Mangelli on Saturday (Nov. 1).
In his elimination, Gabriele Gelormini sent the heavy favorite to the front after 400 meters, and from there the race was over. Even a mid-race challenge from Örjan Kihlström’s Giotto Grif ended in a break, leaving Ginostrabliggi to coast home effortlessly in a mile rate of 1:56.1 for 1,600 meters.
The second elimination was a thriller. Alessandro Gocciadoro’s trio — Gabrioz (Maharajah), Glamour Queen (Face Time Bourbon), and Giotto Ek (Vivid Wise As) — filled the frame in a dramatic stretch battle. After intense early fractions, Glamour Queen fought back gamely on the inside to narrowly deny Giotto Ek at the wire in 1:55.1. Following a steward’s inquiry, Giotto Ek was demoted to third for interference, promoting Gabrioz to second.
The final, however, was all Ginostrabliggi. Gelormini again blasted the colt to the front, and once there, no one could threaten. Gabrioz tried from the outside but offered no real challenge, and was beaten in the last turn while Glamour Queen sat boxed behind the leader with plenty left but nowhere to go before Gelormini made his move in front. Giotto Ek slipped through late for second, ahead of his stablemate Glamour Queen.
Ginostrabliggi coasted home looking completely relaxed, ears pricked, to win in a mile rate of 1:53.4 — one of the fastest performances ever recorded in the storied race.
FRENCH POWER IN GRAN PREMIO DELLE NAZIONI
The $240,000 Gran Premio delle Nazioni produced a French exacta as Jabalpur (Booster Winner) held off the powerful Inexess Bleu (Vittel de Brévol) in Saturday’s (Nov. 1) feature for older trotters.
Driver Gabriele Gelormini was again in the spotlight, sending Jabalpur straight to the front after 300 meters and never looking back. Inexess Bleu, who had dominated the UET Elite Circuit final at Solvalla, was well-placed in third-over for Alexandre Abrivard, but launched his move with 1,200 meters to go to challenge the leader directly.
Turning for home, Jabalpur found another gear for Gelormini and refused to yield, fending off Inexess Bleu by a half-length in a mile rate of 1:55.3 for 2,100 meters.
It was a statement win for the 6-year-old, who continues to emerge as one of France’s most consistent open-class performers.
GINGER WISE AS STRIKES IN ORSI MANGELLI FILLY DIVISION
The $97,000 Gran Premio Paolo e Orsino Orsi Mangelli, the filly division, saw Alessandro Gocciadoro once again in the spotlight — this time as winning trainer with Ginger Wise As (Love You).
Despite starting from the second tier, Ginger Wise As overcame heavy traffic and a chaotic mid-race battle that left several fillies three- and four-wide. Driver Antonio Di Nardo patiently waited for racing room before angling out late, and when she hit top gear, Ginger Wise As unleashed a powerful stretch rally to collar Geiles Leben Home (Maharajah) and Glory Winner (Vivid Wise As).
The final time was in a mile rate of 1:56.1 for 1,600 meters.
The victory continues a stellar season for Ginger Wise As, who also won the Oaks del Trotto earlier this fall and is quickly emerging as Italy’s best 3-year-old filly.
JUSHUA TREE OPENS VINCENNES WINTER MEET WITH AUTHORITY
The prestigious Vincennes Winter Meeting kicked off on Thursday (Oct. 30), and it was Jean-Michel Bazire who struck first, guiding his veteran star Jushua Tree (Bold Eagle—Ma Sissi James) to a commanding win in the $98,000 Prix des Cévennes. Bazire settled his 6-year-old into perfect position early, taking the lead after 600 meters before yielding to Philippe Allaire’s Izoard Vedaquais (Bird Parker), who rolled through steady fractions. Bazire bided his time until mid-stretch, then tipped out with Jushua Tree 400 meters from home. The response was immediate and decisive — the multiple Group 1 winner powered clear without being fully extended, stopping the clock in a mile rate of 1:55.2 for 2,850 meters.
Ino du Lupin (Scipion du Goutier) closed strongly from far back to take second, while Izoard Vedaquais held third after doing the heavy lifting on the lead.
It was the first victory of 2025 for Jushua Tree, who had been disqualified for breaks in both of his previous autumn starts at Laval and Angers. The triumph, worth $44,000 USD, pushed his career earnings to over $1.16 million. Last winter, Jushua Tree opened the meeting with consecutive wins in the Prix Marcel Laurent and Prix Doynel de Saint-Quentin (each worth €120,000) before injury sidelined him.
The 2025-26 Vincennes Winter Meeting will span through late February, offering more than $49 million USD in purses across roughly 800 races, as Europe’s top trotters descend on Paris for the sport’s richest stretch of the year.
